Kathmandu: High stakes being played press the nation. Stunned by a series of major military reversals, the Maoists press the state with heightened terror-tactics. The five major parties embarrassed by continuing public disenchantment at their agitation stake their presence with continued presence on Kathmandu streets of their cadre strength which remains between three to four thousand.

The increased Republican pitch notwithstanding, the same faces mar their presence and the public adopts a bystander approach that ignores the shrill dictates being dumped on the monarchy.

The monarchy on the other hand remains set on its constitutional course. Preparations for Pokhara make it convenient for both the political parties and the Maoists to target impediments. Of course, the security forces are stretched and the two are gambling on this factor. The crucial factor, the people, is ignored in the process and this is where the monarchy cashes in.

Pokhara thus is expected to force the government deadlines on the original mission of Article 127—elections and an all-representative government. This is likely to force Thapa cabinet to shape in or ship out.