Even as news reports of India getting ready to resume military supplies to Nepal came in, leaders of major political parties in Nepal were busy discussing ways to end King's draconian regime and restore multi-party democracy in the country.

The fact that these parties have not yet been able to finalise a road map, is proof that their options are limited. The emergency that was imposed in Nepal on February has been withdrawn but the political parties have yet to come up with a concrete plan.

In fact political parties find themselves on a weak wicket today because of the lack of adequate public support. Central committee member of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), Pradip Giri conceded, "political parties are confused and puzzled. For different reasons, these parties have still not reconciled to the fact that King has used the 'Maoist threat' to justify his disdaining of the 1990 Constitution that had made Nepal a constitutional monarchy," and added that parties were still divided as to how to tackle the major political crisis.

The NC (Democratic) leader accepted that political parties were largely responsible for the current state of affairs in the country because they allowed the King to consolidate his position. But he said that he has no right to govern the country. The top most priority before political parties today is to "throw out and thwart" King Gyanendra who assumed power after sacking the Deuba government in February.

 Can political parties really overthrow the King from office on their own? Senior Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala said "no" because of sharp differences within themselves. Although these parties have been holding anti-King demonstrations or protests independently or jointly in the country and in India and even mustering support from the international community on the restoration of democratic process in the country, yet they are far away from the goal.

Giri, however, suggested that there is a need for political parties to sort out their differences first and finalise a common minimum programme to "get him (King) out of power". Shekhar Koirala went a step further and said that political parties should join hands with Maoists to consolidate anti-King forces in the country. Koirala said that few steps have been taken in this direction.

CPN (UML)'s Chabilal Biswakarma informed that that political parties together have made an appeal to the Maoists to give up the path of violence and help them in restoration of democracy in the country through peaceful means. "We have told them that it is an opportunity for you to join hands with us because we have got the support of International community on the restoration of democracy in the country," Biswakarma said. Though there has been no official response from the Maoists on it, CPN (UML) leader claimed that indications were positive.

The foremost thing that comes to mind now is - What will be the common agenda of the political parties and the Maoists? If they come together to fight against the King how will they sort out their differences? The political parties and the Maoists have sharp differences on the issue of monarchy besides, several others. While the political parties preferred constitutional monarchy, the rebels have demanded an end of monarchy in the country. Will political parties or the Maoists give up their stand on the issue of monarchy in the wake of recent political crisis in the country? None of the political parties is willing to openly comment on it. The Maoists were not available for comments.

The political parties and the Maoists have been involved in the power struggle for many years besides the King. The situation has reached a triangular stalemate: none of the three is making much headway; they are just wearing each other down; no one is prepared to give an inch. The present King, known for his convictions and his canny sense of survival, has used them against each other to strengthen his own position.

 NC (Democratic) leader Giri candidly admitted that the King used the political parties against the Maoists in the past but clarified that political parties have understood his plan very well now and would not allow him to do so in future. NC leader Koirala at the same time said that it would be difficult to forget atrocities committed by Maoists on political activists especially in Maoist dominated areas. Nevertheless, 1 February royal take over and subsequent developments would certainly compel political parties to re-look at their priorities and revise their strategy for the restoration of multi-party democracy in the country. Political analysts say that if political parties managed to end King's draconian regime and restore multi-party democracy, it will not only help them regain confidence of the masses but will also bring cheers to the Nepalese.