Kathmandu: Talk of major political changes is a swing again. At best, there is likely to be a change in cabinet, minor adjustments needed under Chand over the past months of experience. Talk of major change however, is more anticipatory than real. Belligerent party standpoints regarding the government have made their accommodation hardly likely. These are at best party rumors to keep cadre anticipatory. At worst, this would seem wishful thinking since it would mean unraveling the achievements of the past few months. And these are many.

Foremost among them is the sense of peace and order that prevails at the moment and permeates society. It is this that keeps the people away from party standpoints. To boot, the Maoists-Government talks have heightened anticipation and it is unlikely that the effort will be to destabilize it. Obversely, the party standpoints are being seen as destabilization oriented. The Maoists, for example, appear to be facing an uphill task in their contacts with the party leaders.

Both Girija Prasad Koirala and Madhav Kumar Nepal have backed themselves into an unmanageable corner. They know that the peace talks will not be complete without their political participation. The tussle on the other hand is on pushing the talks ahead. Peace can’t wait for the Congress and the UML. This too they are aware of.

As spurious as the rumors of change become, government is aware that it will have to bank on its performance with the Maoists. For all practical purposes this will be the card better used by the Maoists. Here, the parties’ play. As difficult as it is to isolate the mainstream in bringing the Maoists to the mainstream, it will be made more difficult in the background of the mainstream political parties playing the dog in the manger.

A stalemate of this type if in the making will be the sole reason for any other major change. This is what is being targeted by the parties and so the rumor.