Despite efforts being made by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal by holding talks with

the leaders of the political parties so as to resume parliament, he has so far failed with the Maoists sticking to their stance that the Prime Minister should, through an address to the Parliament, state that his attention had been drawn to the President's move related to the reinstatement of Chief of Army Staff. The Maoists have not been allowing proceedings in the House, after the resignation of ex-prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, stating that they would obstruct the parliament until their demands are met. The politics of consensus that all the major political parties are talking about does not seem to be working here. That they should reach an understanding so that the parliament can resume is now a matter of immense urgency for unless the House is allowed to proceed with the presentation of the government's policies and programmes and then the budget for the fiscal year 2009/10. The winter session which started on March 29 has yet to be prorogued, and in spite of the appeals being made to the political parties to resolve their dispute very little headway has been made in this direction.

Although recent negotiations show some hope

that a consensus will be reached with the political leaders like Girija Prasad Koirala urging for it, the Maoists have stood steadfast to their stand and seem to be in no mood

to budge. Meanwhile, Koirala is for a consensus reached that does not overrule the President's move. Under the circumstances, there is immense concern as to whether a compromise will ever be reached. As the country is now in a delicate transient period it behoves on all the political parties, particularly the big political

parties, to reach an understanding and to be more accommodating setting aside their rigid, and

sometimes illogical, stances so that an environment is created whereby the House activities can function normally. The delay in running the proceedings in the House is costing the country dearly. As is evident, this is responsible for much of the instability that could spell disaster unless remedial measures come up ending the House stalemate.

A fall out of the squabbling amongst the political parties for ministerial posts has hampered the

formation of a full fledged government. The repercussions of this can also be seen in the deteriorating law and order situation together with the economy faring very poorly and boomeranging on the ordinary people. Bandhs and closures have now become a regular feature shutting schools and industries for days. Life is getting to be increasingly difficult for the common man desperate for the situation to improve. It is high time the major political parties did something besides agreeing to agree. The people are waiting anxiously as to when they will reach a consensus, preferably at the soonest, shedding petty partisan interests and to take into account the needs of the common people who want a sincere approach from them rather than their obstacle-raising strategies as seen at present. The political parties must reach a consensus without which the country cannot do.