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Common ground against Gyanendra

The "second understanding" between the democratic political parties of Nepal and the Maoists is certain to inject fresh energy in the agitation against King Gyanendra. The two sides first reached an agreement in November 2005 that allowed them to work in concert to boycott the February 2006 municipal elections. The success of the boycott showed that, by acting together, the seven-party Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) and the Maoists could isolate Nepal's monarchy. The March 19 agreement is a reiteration that they will work together for "full democracy." Its immediate consequence was the Maoist decision to end a week-long blockade of Kathmandu that had resulted in considerable disruption of civilian life. The Maoists have instead pledged to mobilise forces for the ARD's mass agitation from April 6, significantly a day after the high school examinations end.

The agreement does not mask the differences between the political parties and the Maoists. That they chose to make separate statements is evidence enough that the political parties want to keep their identity distinct from that of the Maoists. While explaining the absence of a joint statement, Girija Prasad Koirala, leader of the Nepali Congress, spoke of "international difficulties," an apparent reference to the open hostility of the United States, and the ambivalence of India, to the Maoists. The political leadership counts the backing of both countries, more so India's, as crucial to the struggle. But it is also true the political parties themselves are wary of the Maoists, who remain committed to armed struggle. It is to the credit of both sides that these differences did not prevent them from agreeing on the greater political cause of defeating the anti-democratic plans of King Gyanendra.

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