The restoration of the House of Representatives, royal acceptance of the road map of the seven-party alliance and the royal recognition that sovereignty and all state executive authority are vested in the people have broken the long-standing national political deadlock. But the challenges ahead are still daunting. There is no doubt that the masses that poured on to the streets of the country in unprecedented numbers made clear their desire for a constituent assembly as their minimum demand, with a great majority chanting republican slogans. Indeed, the people’s movement was obviously approaching that goal. The royal concessions came as all repressive devices had proved ineffective. Now, if all political forces go according to the stated plan, a lasting peace and total democracy are clearly within sight. On their part, the seven parties should stick to the 12-point understanding, so should the Maoists.

A number of confidence-building measures are called for, such as the withdrawal of the terrorist tag on the Maoists and red corner notices issued against some of them, and the announcement of a two-way ceasefire at the earliest. In a happy development, the Maoists have agreed to lift the blockade of district headquarters and the capital, in a reversal of their Tuesday’s decision to continue it, in response to the call by the alliance. Certainly, the rebels are not entirely happy with the alliance’s decision to accept the House restoration without consulting them, because, according to them, this has violated the 12-point agreement. The rebels do have doubts whether a parliament restored by royal proclamation will be able to truly address the demands of the Jana Andolan — unconditional constituent assembly and a ‘democratic republic’. However, as the proclamation addresses the Maoist bottom line of constituent assembly by acceding to the alliance roadmap, though without mentioning the Maoists or constituent assembly, the minimum Maoist demand, therefore, stands to be met through the process that has been set in motion.

For this, the wall of distrust needs to be smashed. This can be achieved through constant consultation and induction of adequate measures to ensure that the popular will expressed through the historic Jana Andolan is fully respected. However, in view of the past experience of conspiracy and usurpation of what has been conceded, the Maoist stress on constant vigilance and application of pressure to push for strings-free constituent assembly has some merit. The alliance and the rebels no longer disagree over constituent assembly; the difference is only over the process. And this should be sorted out through discussion, as set out in the 12-point accord. The Maoists still emphasise their earlier tripod of political conference, interim government and constituent assembly. These issues could be resolved with relative ease if the intentions of all sides are good. Outcome is more important.