Kathmandu: At time of writing, business has yet to begin in House of Representatives. At time of writing again, it is unlikely that the opposition will allow parliament to take up business. At least, this is what is suggested by UML General Secretary Madhav Nepal when he tells the public that there is no alternative to Prime Minister Girija’s resignation. This is, moreover, hardly a strategy. Crowding the well at the parliament may stop parliamentary business. To get the Prime Minister to resign on this account alone calls for imagination. The Prime Minister can resign if his majority in parliament is challenged by non-passage of the bills introduced by government. But for this the business inside the parliament has to resume. This is where things have been made unclear by the opposition.

It is not surprising then that the Speaker of the Lower House Taranath Bhat now sees democracy readily threatened. To boot, Speaker of the National Assembly Mohammad Mohsin calls for the King to define and assume his responsibilities in such a situation. And, again, rounds of talks take place among the political forces opposed to Girija Prasad Koirala to dislodge the Prime Minister. While, then, street action and agitation for the purpose is now predictable, what it says to democracy and parliamentary recourse is hardly congenial.

Adding to the situation is the general appearance of apathy in the congress. A large section of the congress in the House awaits opposition action and a Girija resignation. The other section is confident that its majority will carry it through. The fact is that the Nepali Congress has a majority in parliament. But the congress parliamentary leader, the party chairman and the Prime Minister all three of which is assumed by Girija Prasad Koirala does not seem to hold a real majority. This is regardless of his Pokhara mandate.

And so if a paralyzed parliament is one option in the course ahead, the other option is a paralyzed street. Perhaps emboldened by the manner, with which Philippine President Estrada was dislodged by the streets, the opposition parties in parliament and outside are preparing for civic action to demonstrate the strength of people power.

What next is any body’s guess?

Of course, the Maoists’ threat remains. It is every body’s conclusion that the insurgency awaits definitive surfacing in the capital city. The extreme upsurge of violence during the Hritik Roshan issue is said to be one demonstration of Maoists presence here. Another is the manner with which the valley’s roads were emptied in course of the strike of the public vehicle owners. The campuses are once again on the verge of closure. Clearly, politics is heating up. But toward which direction is, again, any body’s guess.

And then there is the much-talked about Royal tour of China. The timing is in itself significant. Royal action is being carefully watched. His Majesty is the chief guest at the China launched Asia Forum in which Kirti Nidhi Bista is a delegate. What the King says there becomes in these circumstances as important as what is contained in his democracy day message. People watch and try to find meaning at how His Majesty purposely awaits the Prime Minister and talks to him prior to resuming his cavalcade after the democracy day celebrations at Tundikhel. Watchers also attach significance to the manner with which the King listened to the Chief Justice who, one presumes was recounting his recent near escape from a Maoist ambush. Much meaning is being given to the series of consultations the King has been having with Parliamentarians on the citizenship bill.

It is even the citizenship bill, which has brought the King to yet another constitutional crisis. The fact that it was included in the Finance bill is not the sole problem. The fact is that out constitution inhibits such bills regarding citizenship. This calls for constitutional amendments on its own. Again, there is the fact that the King can’t reject the Finance bill passed by the Lower House. One ready option for the King is to keep the bill on hold even this will be politicized.