Kathmandu: As stated in the previous issue, this week proved these rumors floated last week of special signals and messages from the Palace to the agitating five parties proved unverifiable. The UML leadership is unanimous in public statements that they have received no such “message” or “signal”. The congress on the other hand are mum on the matter of the rumor but now claim that their “decisive” agitation was toned down not on the basis of any such signal but due to cognizance of the ground situation dictated by the Maoists.

Analysis of the purpose of the rumors therefore would have to be based on its effects. For one thing, purposely spread rumors of the king relenting to accommodate the agitating parties 18 point demands did help in increasing the numbers of the “count arrest” program which the toned down effect resulted in. the rumors could also help postpone the decisive program for “after Tihar”. The Dashain reprieve for our political parties has thus been secured. Moreover, the period will be used to cultivate the cadre and mass with the promise of imminent change and entry in government of the political parties signifying their victory and the King’s defeat.

While the rumor can be used against the King of not materialized as yet another betrayal on part of the monarchy something remains amidst nevertheless. Which points of the 18 point demands have been accepted by the King or have been dropped by the agitators is not talked of in the rumor. The King moreover, to all practical purposes has not rescinded the constitutionality of his actions under article 127. Neither has the government. Where, then, one might question has a cave-in taken place?

Keeping in mind that the King has from the very outset of his action under article 127 last year, been seeking the participation of the political parties represented in the dissolved parliament and also keeping in mid that it was the political parties that placed coditionalities is and went to the street, it is obvious that it will be the political parties hoping for compromised as the rumors now suggest.

In this background it is possible to see some grain of truth in the party rumors that the Thapa Cabinet is engaged in a process of attempting an all-party government. However, if the parties don’t cave-in on their 18-point demand, this would seem difficult to materialize. This then, gives some credence to rumors that the Thapa government is on its way out.