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Nepal development has mixed reaction

     Rupendehi/Raipur: Hundreds of thousands of people held victory rallies across Nepal on Tuesday, a day after King Gyanendra announced that he was reinstating parliament after an interval of four years. The seven parties, which led the almost three week-long crippling anti-democracy campaign against the King, named former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as the new head of government and said its first job would be to bring the Maoists into the political mainstream. But Maoist rebels, who control large swathes of the Nepalese countryside, have denounced the king's speech as a sham and are not impressed by the latest developments. Maoist leader Prachanda said the alliance had committed "another historic mistake" and encouraged the people to continue their protests until the parties declared elections for an assembly to write a new Constitution. Analysts say Koirala's first job now would be to ensure that the Maoists join the political mainstream. The Maoist belligerence has also raised fears in India about Leftist belligerence in Nepal could act as a fuse point for its own rebels back home.

     "We are taking the King's decision very positively. We welcome restoration of democracy, seven party alliance (SPA) and formation of interim government. In this new set of scheme the problems of Maoists should also be attended to and included. And after a consensus with the government there would be peace in the nation. This will in turn help in the nation's development," said Gopal a resident of Rupendehi in Nepal. Alongside the victory rallies, life returned to near normal in many places after almost three weeks of unrest, protests and closures. Shops were open and many buses and taxis were running for the first time since April 6. Mobile phone connections, cut at the height of the unrest on Saturday, were restored.

     Nepal's parliament has been dissolved since 2002, and King Gyanendra assumed absolute power last year, declaring a state of emergency and vowing to crush the escalating Maoist rebellion. The king said he was reconvening parliament "convinced that the source of state authority and sovereignty of the kingdom of Nepal is inherent in the people of Nepal and cognizant of the spirit of the ongoing people's movement".

   Meanwhile, senior BJP leader L.K. Advani has rapped the Communists for their stand on the Nepal. "My comments come after Sitaram Yechury's, (Communist Party of India (Marxist), politburo member) criticism of my stand on non- inclusion of Maoists in Nepal democracy. I have no problem, provided they renounce their weapons and take part in elections and then they can be a part of democracy. But without complying to all this if they become a part of democracy then they may pose to be an internal threat for India," said Advani in Raipur. Sitaram Yechuri, whose Communists give moral and ideological support to the Maoists in Nepal, suggested a four-point formula to restore democracy in Nepal, which included negotiations with Maoists to bring them to democratic mainstream. The Maoists, who are vowed to end the monarchy and establish a Communist republic have, however, refused to suspend their rebellion and said they will continue the protests until the parties declare elections for an assembly to write a new Constitution.

First victory for people of Nepal: Karat

      New Delhi: Nepal King Gyanendra's proclamation reinstating the dissolved Parliament is the first victory for the pro-democracy people of Nepal, said Communist Party of India (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat on Tuesday. Speaking to newspersons on Nepal situation Karat said, "In Nepal Seven Party Alliance (SPA) has decided that they will form the government and Girija Prasad Koirala will become the Prime The Maoists, who are vowed to end the monarchy and establish a Communist republic have however, refused to suspend their rebellion and said they will continue the protests until the parties declare elections for an assembly to write a new Constitution. The king seized power on February 1, 2005, saying the elected government of Prime Minister Deuba had failed to deal with the Maoist rebels.

     The Maoists have been trying to end the monarchy and establish a Communist republic since 1996. Over 13,000 people have died in the process. Nepal's parliament was dissolved 2002, and King Gyanendra assumed absolute power last year. Speaking on national television late on Monday, the king said he was calling back the assembly. The announcement was greeted with impromptu victory celebrations in Kathmandu and other Nepalese towns. .