Kathmandu:- The general assessment of poor performance has hit the government hard. A reluctant bureaucracy hesitant given the government’s limited mandate is likely soon to face government assertion. Given that the bureaucracy was very much part of the delivery system perverted for partisan interests corrections attempted there are likely to provoke more protests and the partisan interests severely undercut in the past months of the Chand government will likely take it up in their supposed cause for democracy.

Indeed, a mild and accommodative Lokendra Bahadur Chand appears to have rebounded on himself and the calls for assertions have become widespread in the search for a meaning to the Royal action three months ago. There is no doubt that vested interests inculcated by party polices have served to sabotage meaningful government action. The bureaucracy among others is protected by severely tampered service rules and regulations behind which much of the perversions take place. The opposition annoyed with recent changes in the police force will now see much in similar changes in the civil service. For this too government assertions is predictable.

Yet another sector thoroughly emasculated by partisan interest is the academic sector of the Tribhuwan University. It is the largest employer out side government and it is due for change as well. Eyes are focussed at the recommendation of the three man committee composed to select a new VC for the Tribhuwan University. This new appointment will serve as a barometer indicating preparations for things to come.

Predictably, university activists are poised for an agitation which is already at a stage where academics have placed demands on government. To boot, student elections approach and the major parties promise that their student organizations will be inducted in the campaign to oppose the Royal move.

At the official level, the surreal calm imposed by the marriage decision suggests that speedy operation is around the corner. The level of anticipation is high.

For the moment however, things remain the same. The UML infighting has taken a new pitch at the public level prior to its Janakpur Convention. Congress reunification talks remain stalled. The RPP Central Committee remains a chimera. The Maoists are up to what they have been. And government is more than willing to speechify at functions. What is being eroded in this process is the public anticipation for visible change.