30/06/2008: CA stalled yet again: Maoists tilt to UML stance on Madhes (kp), No end to House disruption (ht), Flimsy basis (ht), Do Not Disrupt (rn), Madhesi leaders threaten agitation (ht), Big Three vow to keep their word on Madhes (ht), 'One Madhesh' demand is a threat to national integrity, says Khanal (nn), Need for a concrete reparations scheme, by Navaraj Pudasaini (kp), Maoist chief blames Terai parties for delay in govt formation (nn), In Nepal: 'We are trying our best to understand democracy', by Raymond Whitaker (Independent, UK), Three parties to hold consultations with Madhesi parties jointly on Tuesday (nn 30/06/2008)

29/06/2008: CA meeting stalled again: SPA divided on Madhes issue, by Yuvraj Acharya and Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Madhes issue stalls CA session again (ht) [What is the CA good for if you want to introduce all changes without it?], Disruption to continue: MJF (ht) [You migrants are speaking for not more than 40% of the Tarai population, especially not for the indigenous population!!], CA stalemate continues (nn), Tharus against ‘One Madhes’ (ht), Gupta threatens to paralyse the entire country if Madhesi demands are not met (nn), Baidya says Maoists in favour of autonomous regions (nn), Maoists, UML say no to key demands of Terai parties (nn), UML’s anti-autonomy stance (ht), No place for Maoist troops in NA: Yadav (kp), Ethnicity and nation: Fact & Fiction, by Arun Gupto (kp), Special house for Janandolan-hit, by Merina Sharma (ht) [Do not forget to punish those who were most responsible like Kamal Thapa!!], Maoists moot presidential poll on July 2 (Gulf Times), Maoists plan presidential poll on Wednesday (Peninsula)

28/06/2008: Maoists want Singh for prez: UML sticks to Nepal, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), PM’s resignation not legal: Experts (ht), PM, Maoists assure Madhesis (kp), Tharus, Chure Bhawar object to 'One Madhes' (nn) [They are the indigenous Tarai inhabitants!], Maoists, UML say no to single Madhes state (ht), Madhesi MPs threaten more House disruptions (ht), Terai parties again obstruct CA proceeding; next CA meeting Sunday afternoon (nn), SPA meeting over Terai parties' demands inconclusive (nn), NC leaders press for opposition role (kp), Maoist criticized over stance on seized property (kp), Is it the geography, stupid?, by Hari Bansha Dulal & Samyam Waglé (kp), Who demands reservation?, by Prabha Kaini (kp), Majoritarian rule may delay statute-making process, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

27/06/2008: PM announces resignation: Urges unity among parties, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), PM Koirala steps aside (ht), The final act Emotional Koirala calls it quits (ht) [Text of PM's resignation speech], Nepal’s PM steps down, paves way for Maoists (Peninsula), Democratic gesture (kp), Pilgrims’ progress (ht), End of the alliance, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), Beginning of End: Long on the verge of collapse, the seven-party coalition is finally falling apart, by Sushil Sharma (sp), "This Is Just An Alliance To Settle The Political Deadlock", interview with Jhal Nath Khanal (sp), Parties intensify internal, bilateral discussions (nn), Madhesi parties’ move to delay govt formation, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), How CA polls will affect Sino-India ties, by Prakash A Raj (kp), New Nepal needs new minds, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), Culture of impunity in Nepal, by Dipendra Jha (ht), Danger of revival of 'conflict' still exists if the CA process is not wisely handled, interview with Surya Dhungel (sp), Deepening Crisis, by Keshab Poudel (sp), Parties recommend names for 26 CA members (nn), Political Mistrust in Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop), Nepal's troubled society, by Kamala Sarup (Scoop), Question of Defining National Security Council of Nepal, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician), Now, the people: With the politics finally getting sorted out, time to focus on the economy (nt), Absolute anarchy: Does the UML's left arm know what its left palm is doing?, by CK Lal (nt)

26/06/2008: Parties ink fresh deal: Statute amendment proposal Thursday, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Done deal at last, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), CA assembly legitimises republic declaration (ht), ‘Incorporate Madhesi issues in constitution amendment bill’ (kp), Prachanda, Prakash discuss govt formation (ht), Maoist-UML alliance disaster for country: Oli, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Towards an authoritarian regime?, by Prateek Pradhan (kp), Failing state & developing crises, by Lok Raj Baral (kp), New Nepal: Minority rights and opportunity, by Sunil Pant (ht)

25/06/2008: Difference persists over security council: Parties strike deal, by Yuvraj Acharya and Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Seven parties okay new deals, by Hem Dulal (ht), Taskforce finalising draft of agreement (nn), Parties agree to present fifth amendment (nn), Cabinet approves constitutional amendment draft (nn), UML, MJF discuss political deadlock (ht), Koirala’s utility over? (tg), Woman killed by landmine near NA premises, by Kashiram Dangi (kp), Dreams and reality, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Has Politics Of Consensus Come To An End?, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Bahuns have become even stronger than before after abolition of monarchy, interview with Krishna B. Bhattachan (tg), Nepal to extend term of UN mission by another six months (Monster & Critics), From monarchy to anarchy in Nepal (Gulf Today)

24/06/2008: Maoists, UML to leave NC out: Seven-Party Alliance breaks down, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Sitaula meets Dahal as Maoists prepare to go without NC (nn), Maoists willing to ditch NC and form govt through CA (nn), Time running out for annual policy, program, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Issues of integration, by Ranadhoj Limbu (kp), Call for greater political alliance, by Gauri Pradhan (kp), Peace process: The role of President, by Birendra P Mishra (ht), Nepal: A Small Victory for Nepali Women, by Mallika Aryal (IPS), Is a 'Red' Nepal a Threat to India? The prospect alarming for some of India's security and foreign policy analysts, by Bhumika Ghimire (on), Parties discuss constitution amendment; preparing to introduce a bill in CA (nn)

23/06/2008: SPA meeting: Maoists walk away from talks, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Distrust mars seven parties’ meeting (nn), PM Koirala confers with army chief (nn) [After Gyanendra/army coup now Koirala/army coup??], ‘One-third produce to Maoists’: Maoists continue distributing land, by Ganesh Chaudhari (kp), Jana Andolan injured living with bullet in body, by Prem Nepali (kp), Sadbhawana against PLA-NA integration (ht), UK minister urges parties to form new govt (kp), Expedite govt formation: Malik (ht), Moral bankruptcy (kp), Partisan president, speaker, by Shyam KC (kp), Identifying The First President, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Time to write statute, not to form new alliances: Experts (ht), Nepali politics: The management of transition, by Ajit NS Thapa (ht), Consensus the key (ht), Dialectics Of Relations (rn), Nepal: People In Search Of A Future, by Kamala Sarup (Scoop), UML-Maoists come closer; agree to move ahead together (nn)

22/06/2008: SPA still at odds on key issues (kp), Consensus eludes SPA meet (ht), No consensus on Nepal as prez: Baidya (kp) [Why cannot be a woman the first president?? The UML is missing another chance towards an inclusive Nepal!], Identifying The First President, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Poll verdict resolves deadlock: RJP chief (kp), Redesign flag, change national animal: MNO (ht), Indigenous people seek 26 CA seats (ht)

21/06/2008: Maoists pull out from government, by Ghanashyam Ojha and Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Maoists decide to call it quits, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), UK minister urges consensus (kp), PIL against Gyanendra, ex-royals (kp), CA members spend time blaming each other (kp) [A national shame and frustration for the Nepali people who have elected a constituent assembly to leay the foundation for a better Nepal!!], Nepal parties fail to break deadlock (Peninsula), Seven parties’ consultations underway in Baluwatar (nn) [Please copy this information every day for the next ten years....], Daylong talks end without result; parties unable to break the deadlock (nn), Put economy at center: CA member Chaudhary (kp), Assembly members flay govt’s failure on security front (ht), Renewal of Nepal, by Bimal Koirala (kp), Autonomy of the CA, by Bhimarjun Acharya (kp), President for peace, by D B Gurung (kp), UML, Maoist leaders differ on presidential candidate (nn)

20/06/2008: I’ll resign if SPA asks: PM (kp) [You don't have the people's mandate, so you have to resign immediately! This is not up to the SPA!!], Panel drafts proposal to settle vexed issues, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Parties to continue parleys (nn), Power tussle ends as former Maoist guerrillas yield to parties’ conditions (Gulf Times), SC admin told to admit writ on privileges to ex-royals (kp), Maoists and UML cosy up on power-sharing; president for UML and PM for Maoists (nn), Left unity (kp), Nepal parties agree to recruit Maoist fighters into army (Peninsula), Issue of army integration, by Yubaraj Sangroula (kp), Propaganda politics, by Surendra R Devkota (kp), Blow to consensus (ht), Prime Minister Dahal (nt), Begin at the beginning: The disappearances, impunity and terror started 23 years ago, by CK Lal (nt), Veering off course: Myopic politicians are missing the bigger picture, by Prashant Jha (nt), Work in progress: Let the rule of law be the king in the new republic, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt), Impunity must end for violence to stop in south-central Nepal, UN officials say (Scoop)

19/06/2008: Consensus on army integration, statute amendment, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Talks make no headway: NC’s stance a ‘stumbling block’, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Pradip flays Baluwatar parleys (ht), Electing the unelected: Koirala has proved me right, by Ranjan Panth (ht), UML forwards Nepal’s name as presidential candidate (nn) [???], Big Three reach consensus on army integration, constitution amendment; Maoists back Sahana as presidential candidate (nn), CA adjourns sine die, legislature to resume Friday (kp) [Throw all not elected politicians out of all functions immediately! The elections have been for CA primarily!!], Assembly meeting put off indefinitely (ht), RJP reminds ‘Big 3’ of responsibility (kp), New crown, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Vigilance after victory, by Shreedhar Gautam (kp), Koirala ready to step down; hints NC won't be part of next govt (nn)

18/06/2008: Crucial power sharing talks today; Three-party meet: Differences narrow down (kp), Parties to pursue path of consensus: Maoists to alter YCL’s structure in two weeks (ht), Powwow continues among big three (nn) [Throw all of them into a dust bin, especially those who have not been legitimized by the people through elections!!], Big three stumble over power-sharing; agree to continue talks (nn), Sahana Pradhan mooted as new president (ht), Make Pradhan president: Sharma (kp), UML continues to lay claim over presidential post (nn), Singh’s name acceptable: Mahato (kp), Maoists’ no-trust motion threat against govt (ht), The great president hunt, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), Maoist victims want property returned (kp), Nepal still on press freedom watch list (kp), It all depends on admin, by Dhruba Nepal (kp), A paradigm shift? Himalayan geo-politics, by Sutrendra Phuyal (kp), Unedifying spectacle (ht), Parties Must Shun Double Standards, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), The Coconut Republic! (tg), Prime Minister Koirala facilitating Left Unity (tg), A mere change in the name of the system is not going to pay off, by Rabindra Khanal (tg), Martin urges Nepal govt to define UNMIN's role (nn)

17/06/2008: 24-hour Maoist ultimatum to PM (kp), CPN-M likely to quit govt today, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Accord on new govt soon: Khanal (kp), UML gen secy for left unity (nn), Three parties to resume talks; Maoists engage in internal consultations (nn), Maoists to be rigid on their stance; no to Koirala as president (nn), Up to 1,000-man security proposed for president, by Kiran Chapagain (kp) [???], Tripartite meet fails to decide PLA’s fate (ht), Ask Maoist combatants what they want, by Prakash Rimal (ht), Avoid hasty decision on PLA: Ex-general (kp), Military experts caution on hasty decision on army integration (nn), Breaking The Deadlock, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn), 12 injured in bomb blast (kp), Checks and balances, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), The pot and the kettle, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), Constituent Assembly: Keeping the House in order, by Sunil Babu Pant (ht), Answering for it (ht), Model Of Federalism (rn)

16/06/2008: Tackle policy issues then claim govt: UML to Maoists (kp), Keep mum on prez, UML tells Maoists (ht), Three parties continue discussion for consensus (nn), Greed, power and fate, by Monica Regmi (kp), ‘The polls succeeded because we became Gandhis’, interview with Ganesh Man Pun, head of the Young Communist League (kp) [Our remembrance of Gandhi is totally different from ICL's daily behaviour!!], Bomb hurled at a passenger bus; six hurt (nn), Dahal, Carter to be conferred peace awards (nn)

15/06/2008: Dismiss report on seeking presidency: NC leaders stick to 7 points (kp), GP Koirala not right choice: Leftists (ht), Maoist chief rules out Koirala's name from presidential race (nn), Nepal urges consensus at earliest, govt formation (kp), Maoists responsible for delay: Khanal, by Rajendra Pratap Shah (kp), UML, Maoist leaders hold talks (nn), Maoist chief asks parties to help them in formation of govt; warns them of consequences (nn), Maoists target Ram Hari’s brother (kp), Poudel calls Maoists to disarm (ht), Mainali warns of another conflict (ht), Marginalised women seek Assembly seats (ht), Swan-song Of Ex-king Gyanendra, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Toward Regression in Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop), An Outlook of Federal Security System of Republic Nepal & Integration of PLA, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician), Martin discusses army integration issue with Maoist chairman (nn)

14/06/2008: ‘APF can be scrapped if need be’: PLA to be separate security force: Pun (kp), No integration of PLA: Yadav (kp), Big parties split over PLA adjustment plan (ht), Maoists to develop new media model: Baidya (kp) [There can be no commitment against press freedom!!], Baidya for new model of press freedom (ht), HR violation victims yet to be compensated (kp), Himalayan republic, by Buddhi Narayan Shrestha (kp), Jhala Nath Khanal for UML-Maoist tie-up (ht), Mahat blames Maoists for anti-investment climate (ht), Maoist 'positive' about Koirala as president (nn) [??], Maoists shift stand, want UN monitors to continue (Peninsula)

13/06/2008: Maoist ministers quit government (ht), Maoist ministers' resignation will not be forwarded to PM for the time being (nn), Nepal's former rebels quit government, demand prime minister resign (iht), Coalition government by June 18: Minister Gurung (nn), Bhattarai hopes for consensus by June 18 (ht), CPN-UML lays claim to president’s post (ht), UML also stakes claim to presidency (nn), Sahana ok as prez, says Dev Gurung (ht), President through consensus: Bhattarai (kp), Evening shows the night, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), No compromise on NA’s purity, sanctity, integrity: Katawal (kp), Army to help institutionalise democracy: Gen Katawal (ht), Parties divided over army integration (nn), Keep out of politics, Maoists warn ousted king Gyanendra (Peninsula), Prachanda to visit Mao-land for 'more inspiration' (nn), Extreme leftist groups pushing country into a brink: Finance Minister (nn), New govt will take over in three days: PM (nn), Irrelevant republic: In Lele, it makes little difference whether Nepal has a king or not, by Mallika Aryal (nt), The priest and the warrior: Finding a president in an age of political correctness, by CK Lal (nt), We ain't seen nothing yet: That was just the trailer; let the show commence, by Prashant Jha (nt), Federalism: Learning The Steps (sp)

12/06/2008: Produce CA agenda: Minor parties (kp), Policy on PLA first, govt later: NC, UML (ht) [Please take time! As always before, you have only been elected (if you have been elected at all) to fight for power and privilegies!!], No compromise on entry of 'qualified and capable' individuals in NA: Army Chief (nn), Army's purity should not be compromised in the name of democratisation: Army chief (kp), NC, Maoists close to reaching agreement on govt formation (nn), CMDP against any royal privilege to ex-king (kp), Gyanendra abandons Narayanhiti, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), Ex-king vacates Narayanhiti, not to leave Nepal, by Hem Dulal (ht), Gyanendra’s valedictory address (kp) [text of his speech], Outgoing message (kp), CA members condemn palace placation (ht), Parties show mixed reaction to ex-king’s exit (kp), Royal rebuff for waiting scribes (ht), Student offers house, Land Cruiser to former king (ht), 3 cops hurt in shootout, arms looted, by Dambarsingh Rai (kp), Cops hurt in Kirant outfit attack (ht), Ex-MMT leader, others held with weapons (kp), Maoists arrested with weapons (ht), 6 injured in school blast (kp), Credit and power sharing politics, by Som P Pudasaini (kp), Conflict casualty probe panel to get extension (ht), The Letter That Is Still Valid, by Shyam KC (rn), Ram Raja as presidential candidate acceptable: TMLP chief (nn), Bhattarai sees UNMIN's role until NA-PLA integration (nn)

11/06/2008: Civil Society to press for end to stalemate (kp), Consensus still not at hand, says Home Minister Sitaula (ht), Task-force indecisive on PLA integration model (ht), Panel to ask YCL to vacate buildings (kp), Gyanendra wants 400 army troops: Leaving Narayanhiti today, by Kiran Chapagain (kp) [When will Nepal abolish monarchy??], CA members object to govt handouts to ex-king, POL price hike (nn), Ex-King holds press meet before leaving Narayanhiti; refutes allegations labeled against him; says he won't go into exile (nn), Ex-King Gyanendra leaves Narayanhiti (nn), Journos, media still at risk: Report (kp), Maoists yet to return seized land, property (kp), Off track (ht), A fortnight in a nation's life, by Abhi Subedi (kp), From divine right to democracy, by Shambhu Ram Simkhada (kp), Unanimity among republicans, by Gauri Pradhan (kp), Monarchy Is Gone, But Challenges Remain, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Power center to shift from Delhi to Nagarjun (tg), Make it a habit and hope against hope, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), When federalism and democracy go hand in hand, the chances of secession are lesser, interview with Budhi Karki (tg), SC rejects writ challenging cabinet decision (nn) [The SC decision is wrong: Every Nepali citizen is personally effected by this 'political' decision since it means waste of public money for the richest private person in the country!!], Four injured in separate explosions (nn)

10/06/2008: Prez, VP, PM election by simple majority (kp), Simple CA majority to decide prez, PM (ht), Parties' panel working to finalise understanding (nn), Panel hits a snag over the issue of integration of Maoist combatants (nn), Maoists to name Ram Raja Singh for prez (kp), We’ll never accept Koirala as prez: Dahal (kp), 200 ropani inside palace sought: Gyanendra demands Trishul Sadan also, by Kiran Chapagain (kp) [This is not the abolition of a monarchy that has putsched against the state some years ago! Graceful exit can only mean: no punishment, no expulsion from the country!!], Civil society flays royal retreat for Gyanendra, kin (ht) [!!!], Red tapes under the red flag, by Chandan Sapkota (kp), Indian federal experience & Nepal, by Beerendra Pandey (kp), Signs of the future (ht), Celebrating The Republic (rn), Telling The Truth About The War, by Simon Robins (rn)

09/06/2008: Panel to iron out political differences (ht), Parties set up panel to draft statute amendment (kp), Three-party panel reaches consensus on statute amendment (nn), Beside the point (ht), Maoist flexibility (kp), Maoists against prez from big parties (kp), Eyeing The Presidency (rn), With Maoist backing Ram Raja emerges as strong presidential hopeful (nn), Republic not any party’s victory: PM (kp) [Though it is for sure that there would be neither a republic and nor an inclusive CA without the Maoist insurgency, Mr Koirala!], Women seek 50 pc reservation (ht), A New Nepal: Changing of the guard, by Ganga Thapa (ht), Finally, It Is A Graceful Exit, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Track what Gyanendra takes: Govt, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), Maoists promise squatters seized land, by Mohan Budaair (kp), Maoist Kangaroo court still around, by Surendra Subedi (kp), Who should be head of state?, by Shyam KC (kp), ‘Keep out of tarai affairs’, interview with Hridayesh Tripathi (kp), ‘Nothing except one Madhes’, interview with Jaya Prakash Gupta (kp), NC youths enraged over Maoist atrocities; vow to float YCL-like units (nn)

08/06/2008: Caucuses close to consensus on key issues (ht), Gesture Of Flexibility (rn), UML wants Assembly to elect President (ht), Elect, not handpick first Prez: Khanal, by Lilaballav Ghimire (kp), PM or prez should be Madhesi: MJF (ht), MJF against Koirala for president (nn), NC intensifies lobbying for Koirala's 'presidential bid'; gets negative response from Maoists (nn), Three parties form a joint panel to suggest ways to resolve the deadlock (nn), Maoist nod for simple majority: Parties closer to consensus, by Yuvraj Acharya & Thira L Bhusal (kp), Politics of principles need of the hour, by Prakash Rimal (ht), Prachanda sees bid to trigger ethnic violence (ht), Gyanendra faces threat from kin, says Maoist leader (ht), Vulpine Greed For Power: Replacing Shah Dynasty with Koirala Dynasty? by Mohan Nepali (Scoop)

07/06/2008: Maoists oppose: NC to propose Koirala for prez (kp), Thumbs down for Koirala as president (ht), Koirala too frail for prez: Yadav (kp), NC intensifies lobbying for Koirala's 'presidential bid'; gets negative response from Maoists (nn), Maoists flexible on simple majority (kp), Prachanda sees impasse ending on Monday (ht), Prachanda not keen to back Koirala as president; ready for statute amendment (nn), NC, UML reach understanding on appointment of president (nn), All 25 parties can stay out of govt: Poudel (kp) [How stupid! Does he really want to be a political leader??], Don’t ignore us, plead puny parties (ht), Crown, scepter missing? Govt panel looking for records, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), 3 shot dead in tarai (kp), Choice for the Maoists, by Shreeram Lamichhane and Mana Prasad Wagley (kp), Goodbye Shah dynasty! by Surendra Phuyal (kp), Republic of Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop 07/06/2008)

06/06/2008: Maoists compromise on prez post (kp), Maoists climb down over key demand (ht), A new move (ht), NC, UML dissatisfied with Maoist proposal (nn), MJF opposes making Koirala president (nn), An NC leader proposes Koirala for president (nn), UML for election of president: Khanal (nn), Prachanda hints at further flexibility (nn), Madhesi, small parties criticize SPA (kp), 12 parties piqued over 'bigger parties' (nn), Power games: Fair Or Fixed? by Sushil Sharma (sp), No half way (nt), Memorial of Madi victims unveiled (kp), Three years on, govt relief not in sight for bereaved father, by Bhanubhakta Acharya (ht), Kin of Badarmudhe tragedy victims demand compensation and action against guilty (nn), Jana Andolan victims rue govt apathy (ht), What to do with the YCL? by Surendra R Devkota (kp), Peacetime in a war zone: War over, development hopes run high in the Maoist heartland, by Kishor Rimal (nt), A practical way out of impasse, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), A New Phase Of Instability, by Keshab Poudel (sp), "Nepal shows it is possible to de-link from US imperialism", interview with Prakash Karat, CPI(M), Chairman becomes premier: Pushpa Kamal Dahal now has nothing left to wreck, by CK Lal (nt), Who'll blink first? Spare a thought for voters who thought they'd see change, by Prashant Jha (nt), Pressuring the press, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt)

05/06/2008: CA to adjourn to faciliate consultations (kp), CPN-UML to stand up to Maoists in CA (kp), Fresh Maoist threat to quit govt (ht), Maoists give up claim for presidency (nn), EU’s plea to parties to share power (ht), The May 28 proceedings, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Democracy: Fallacy or fantasy? by Madhab P Khanal (kp), Pangs of adjustment (ht), Think Federal But Shun Division, by Shyam K.C. (rn)

04/06/2008: Maoists threaten to quit govt in two days, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), MPRF sets conditions to support Maoists (kp), Maoists can take key posts if all agree: Dr Shashank (ht), Maoist absence puts off 25-party meet (kp), 12 fringe parties to group against biggies, by Thira L Bhusal (kp), Writing on the wall (kp), Parleys to end deadlock make no headway (ht), Three parties to meet in the afternoon (nn), Costly impasse (ht), Nepal Maoist chief refuses to renounce armed struggle (Dawn), NC leaders ask people to be ready for struggle (nn), Enforce recommendations: NHRC to govt (kp), Editors’ Alliance ‘seriously concerned’ over Maoist acts, threats (kp), Maoist actions, words alarm editors (ht), Hindu group deserts king, but rejects secular state (kp), WHF to begin agitation (ht), Now its VHP's turn to cry foul over Nepal change (nn), FLSC resumes tax collection (kp), Peace process under republic, by Madhu P Regmi (kp), Chappal politics, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), Keeping our fingers crossed, by Rashmi Sharma Mainali (kp), Republican Nepal: The movement of history, by Birendra P Mishra (ht), Republic of Nepal: People Are Masters Of Their Destiny, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Nepal’s infant democracy faces mature problems, by Gopal Sharma (Dawn), A Revolution sans Revolution, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), Nepal: ‘Constitutionalism’ ignored, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), Social Capital and Political Culture, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), Procedural flaws in the republic declaration, interview with Bhimarjun Acharya (tg), Federalism is a dynamic theory of nation-state building, interview with Shree Krishna Bhattarai (tg), People's mandate in Nepal: Maoists’ erroneous perception, by Govinda Raj Joshi (tg)

03/06/2008: ‘No prez, PM posts for same party’, by Ghanashyam Ojha & Yuvraj Acharya (kp) [The separations of these posts is reasonable, but what makes wonder is that it was no problem to have the tasks of PM and Head of State in the hands of even a single person of the NC for two years! And this party did not have the trust of the people as the elections have shown now!!], NC, UML to give Maoists 7 days to prove eligibility (kp) [And how shall the 213 MPs of NC und UML prove eligibility against the 220 MPs of the Maoists? This is state boycott as it has been practiced so often after 1990! Cooperation is the need of the hour!], NC, UML, MPRF flay Maoist threat (kp), Dahal’s arrogance, unruliness berated, by Gopal Khanal (kp), CPN-UML, Maoists adopt rigid stance (ht), PM Koirala confers with UML, NWPP leaders (nn), Yadav roots for non-political person as a president (rn), Be Responsible (rn), 25-party meeting cancelled (nn), Simple majority should suffice to oust govt: Leaders (ht) [Please do not return to the politics of the 1990s! Your main task is to write a new and inclusive constitution!!], Gyanendra accepts CA verdict: Seeks another residence, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Gyanendra to quit palace on time, by Hem Dulal (ht), Shital Niwas favorite as prez palace: Officials, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), Maoist rule in Nepal against India's interests: BJP, by Gopal Khanal (kp) [BJP rule in India against Nepal's interest!], Maoists' harsh rebuttal to BJP remarks (nn), Republic declaration questioned (kp), Another dictator in making? by Damakant Jayshi (kp), Hyperopic Maoists & myopic pundits, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), PM wants Upadhyay to head statute panel (ht) [Wow, once again are all proposed persons exclusively male Bahuns!! Bahunbad is over, Mr Koirala!], Hope for new peace and development, by Alina R. Shrestha (Reuters)

02/06/2008: Dahal threatens street protests, by Ujir Magar & Santosh Pokharel (kp), Prachanda renews agitation threat (ht), Resolve dispute: Big 3 parties told (kp), PM hopes to resolve crisis by June 5 (ht), 13-party meet fails to break ice (ht), Nepal's main parties fail to agree on forming new government (iht), Tarun Dal suggests PM to stay put unless conditions met (nn) [He has not asked for legitimation by the people, i.e. he has to resign immediately and without any further discussion!!], Dhangadhi normal, kin receive bodies (kp), Gyanendra likely to quit with public notice, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), Ex-King Gyanendra says he accepts CA decision; prepares to leave Narayanhiti (nn), Home Minister meets former King (nn), Palace lacks items to stock museum? (ht), Babban Singh submits himself to court, by Shiva Puri (kp), Probe commission on disappearances urged (kp), ‘Maoists, govt reluctant to nab culprits’ (kp), Slur against media (kp), Media distorted Prachanda’s remark: Badal (ht), Morning shows the day, by Shyam KC (kp), Communist republic impossible, interview with Krishna Pahadi (kp), In search of a new identity, by Biswas Baral (ht), Worrying signs (ht), Locked In Stalemate (rn), Time To Make It People-centric, by Madhavji Shrestha (rn)

01/06/2008: Maoists U-turn back to executive prez, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), No breakthrough in SPA powwow (ht), UML seeks respectable offer to join government (ht), Thirteen parties to continue talks (nn), FNJ deplores Maoist chief’s warning against Kantipur (kp), Baburam defends Maoist chairman’s jibe at media (ht) [Obviously, the Maoists as well do not understand that inclusive democracy means more than elections!!], Keep fighting for democracy: PM (kp), Dhangadhi newspapers halt publication: Media houses threatened, journalists forced into hiding, by Shivraj Bhatt (ht), Taskforce for nationalizing ex-king’s property (kp), Security panel meets palace officials (kp), Committee busy collecting palace records (nn), Govt team inside palace (nn), YCL to stop taking action against others (kp), Chronicle of a feudal class, by Howard Roak (kp), Downfall Of Shah Dynasty, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Royal flaws in focus at birth of Nepal's republic, by Gopal Sharma (Reuters), Prachanda gives three-day 'ultimatum' to NC to hand over govt's leadership (nn)

31/05/2008: ‘No prez post for losers’ (kp), Blackmail slur on Nepali Cong, CPN-UML (ht), Authoritarian attitude: NC, UML (kp), NC, UML leaders reiterate Maoists cannot have both positions (nn), What all figure-head prez can do (ht), SPA team meet put off till Saturday (kp), Maoists’ absence puts off SPA panel meet (ht), Parties fail to reach consensus (nn), Prachanda warns Kantipur Publications (kp) [???], Gyanendra gets eviction letter: Officials inspect palace, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), Blast near Maoist mass meet (kp), Celebration of republic continues (kp), Republic Celebrations (rn), Private sector hails republic (kp), EU, UK, China, Carter Center welcome republic (kp), UK, Japan, China hail Nepal's advent into republic (nn), Curfew lifted in Dhangadhi (kp), Call for inclusion of indigenous issues in statute (kp), Babban Singh makes himself public, by Shiva Puri (kp), On to Act II (kp), Immediate agenda of republic, by Shambhu Ram Simkhada (kp), Nepal Trust in its making, by Uday R Sharma (kp), Janajati leader threatens stir (ht), CA won’t serve us, feel women (ht), Federal states likely to witness water wars: Experts (ht), NC Should Join Hands With Maoists, by Somnath Lamichhane (rn)

30/05/2008: Nation celebrates republic declaration (kp), ‘Hoist nat’l flag at Narayanhiti’ (kp), Gyanendra gets 10 days to pack bags (ht), Govt writes letter to ex-King to vacate palace (nn), UML chief against prez, PM from one party (kp), UML for sharing of key posts (kp), Prez must quit party politics, says Narahari (ht), Parties to resume consultations on government formation (nn), SPA meeting postponed for Saturday (nn), Maoists eye both president and prime minister (nn), Nepalis in India rejoice republic declaration (ht), Business community, Nepali Diaspora welcome republic declaration (nn), EU, Carter Center congratulates Nepali people on declaration of republic (nn), UN, US, others hail republic (kp), US gingerly, but ready to deal with Maoists (ht), YCL, police involved in massive HR violations: AI (kp), Prakash condemns call to destroy Maoist arms (ht) [??], Tharu community to launch protests (kp), Women CA members for gender-neutral statute (kp), The power of people, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Republic brings no joy for him, by Raj Kumar Parajuli (ht) [Punish those who ordered the police to shoot!!], For the best cuts (ht), Now For Greater Dedication, Sincerity, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Nepal Is A Republic, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Federal Republic Of Nepal (rn), Learning Federalism: High level civil servants are in India to look how federalism functions (sp), "International Community Is Concerned About The Future Of Democratic And Peace Processes", interview with Suresh C. Chalise (sp), Overtaking The Constitution, by Keshab Poudel (sp), OHCHR lashes out at police highhandedness (nn), End of Nepalese monarchy sets stage for new period of political instability, by K. Ratnayake (World Socialist Website), 'It doesn't make any difference to me if there is a raja in Kathmandu or not', by Digambar Rai (nt), War wounds: Many in Nepal still bears scars of the war, by Srishti Adhikari (nt), More interesting times: Looks like we are cursed not to live through dull days, by CK Lal (nt), May the 28th: Wednesday was the easy part, by Prashant Jha (nt), Time for real change: Just doing away with the king is not enough, by Artha Beed (nt), Prachanda derides parties for blocking Maoists' ascent to power (nn)

29/05/2008: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, by Yuvraj Acharya, Ghanashyam Ojha and Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), The end of history: Rise and fall of the Shah Dynasty, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), Discredited dynasty confined to history, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Nepal abolishes centuries-old Hindu monarchy, by Gopal Sharma (Reuters), New Juncture Of History (rn), A hope is born (ht), Republic at last! (kp), Vive La Republique Nepal: Nepal turns into a republic, and now there are new challenges to meet (Nepal Monitor), RPP-Nepal becomes the only party against republic; some lawyers question procedures adopted by CA (nn), Royal flag removed from palace (nn), Finally, national flag flies at Narayanhiti (nn), Diversity values (kp), Time of reckoning (ht), Demonstrations deluge Baneshwor, elsewhere, by Kosh Raj Koirala and Thira L Bhushal (kp), Republic Day crowds take to the streets (ht), 3 minor bombs go off in capital (kp), Rallies to celebrate republic (nn), UN hails dawn of republic in Nepal (Hindustan Times), UN, India welcome change, US withholds (nn), US watches its words on Nepal (Times of India), Figure-head prez, executive PM, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), 3 killed in police action, curfew in Dhangadhi, by Mohan Budhaair (kp), Three killed in police firing in Dhangadhi, by Shiva Raj Bhatta (ht), Only Ramilas can save democracy, by Prateek Pradhan (kp), Truth and reconciliation, by Gopal Krishna Siwakoti (kp), Politics of impunity, by Gauri Pradhan (kp), YCL violating rights with impunity: AI (ht), Assembly sans 26 nominees violates law, say legal eagles, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Editorials in major dailies cheer republic (nn), Nepal abolishes monarchy as King Gyanendra given fortnight to vacate palace, by Thomas Bell (Telegraph, UK), Nepal's rocky road ahead (Telegraph, UK), Nepal’s Macbeth: A king who was never crowned (Gulf Times), Nepal Is a New Republic, Photojournalism student Nabin Baral sends images of his nation's joyous day (on), Nepal Votes to Abolish Its Monarchy: Newly Elected Constituent Assembly Declares Country a Secular Republic, by Matthew Rosenberg (Washington Post), Nepal reborn as a republic, by Somini Sengupta (iht), Nepali expats hope for political stability, by Preeti Kannan (Khaleej Times), Nepal new republic on the roof of the world (Khaleej Times), Nepal’s royals face life as commoners, by Sam Taylor (Dawn), Prachanda: the new face of Nepal, by Subel Bhandari (Dawn), Himalayan change, Nepal a republic (Gulf Today), Republic of Nepal celebrates abolition of monarchy (Channel News Asia), Background - Key dates in Nepal's monarchy (Relief Web), Nepal monarchy abolished; King Gyanendra out: Lawmakers in the Himalayan nation declare a republic in a 560-4 vote, by Henry Chu (Los Angeles Times)

28/05/2008: CA members sworn in (kp), 567 CA members sworn in (ht), 'Most wanted' CA member comes, swears and leaves (nn), Baidya, Yadav take oath; preparations for CA meeting on; leaders in consultation (nn), A major milestone, but challenges ahead in Nepal's peace process (Relief Web), Nepal to abolish monarchy as Maoists dominate assembly (Telegraph, UK), Item one on the agenda for Nepal's new parliament: evicting the King, by Andrew Buncombe (Independent, UK), CA meeting to start from 3 pm (nn), The march of history (ht), CA to turn Nepal into republic today (nn), Celebration of republic begins (kp), Republican era dawns today (ht), King ditched by his own coterie (tg), King Gyanendra in consultations hours before facing a sack (nn), Two hurt in Ratna Park blasts (ht), Security beefed up around the palace (nn), Parties for president as head of state, by Yuvraj Acharya and Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), New Nepal to have ceremonial president (ht), CPN-Masal leader Prakash now public (kp), Prakash comes to light, shuns extremism (ht), ‘Monitoring is not 24-hour surveillance’: UNMIN role unfinished: Martin (kp), Road ahead full of challenges: Martin (ht), A great day in history, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Republic dawns in Nepal, by Anand Aditya (kp), Changed face of politics, by Sumnima Kirat (kp), Ugly political deadlock in Nepal, by Rupesh Dahal (tg), If the Maoists reject our pre-conditions, the political deadlock will intensify, by Gagan Thapa (tg) [The defeat of your party was not unexpected, Mr Thapa! You should accept this!], Nepal has to formulate its own federal model that takes its specific conditions into account, by Nicole Toepperwien (tg 28/05/2008), Human rights situation hasn't improved significantly: AI (nn), Parties agree on ‘constitutional president’ and executive prime minister; CA meeting beginning shortly (nn), CA meeting starts at BICC; PM says peace process reaching logical conclusion (nn), Blasts outside CA meeting venue (nn), Nepal becomes a federal democratic republic (nn), Govt announces two-day public holiday to celebrate republic (nn)

27/05/2008: Maoists to let Koirala remain head of state, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Difference persists on statute amendment, head of state; Republic on Wednesday, by Yuvraj Acharya and Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Maoists and NC, UML differ over ways of resolving deadlock (nn), Govt formation process not to MJF’s liking (ht), 3 blasts in capital (kp), Blasts in Kathmandu ahead of king’s ouster (Peninsula), Five injured in blast at Ratna Park (nn), Nepal government warns king he must leave (Reuters), Gyanendra to retain his business empire (Gulf Times), NEFIN to protest parties’ sharing 26 CA seats (kp), ‘Hand over prime accused to cops’ (kp), Unconscious Mukesh hospitalized again, by Khumansingh Tamang (kp) [Highest responsibility goes to Gyanendra Shah and Kamal Thapa!!], NHRC questions AIGs’ reinstatement (kp) [??], ‘Where is my mom?’, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp), Protect history (kp), Futures under Maoist leadership, by Arun Kumar Pokhrel (kp), Politics of consensus, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), NHRC paints grim rights scene (ht), Constituent Assembly members sworn in (nn), Martin makes case for UNMIN's stay in Nepal (nn), Narayanhity royal palace to be turned into national museum (nn)

26/05/2008: No constitution amendment, no sharing of key posts: Maoists (kp), CPN-M to float unity govt plan (ht), Maoists to produce their proposal today (nn), Strange bedfellows (ht), Top three parties fail to reach consensus; another meeting in the evening (nn), Parties agree to criteria for 26 members (kp), Political violence: A crime that pays?, by Hari bansha Dulal (kp), ‘Either Maoists or Army will take over’, interview with Kamal Thapa (kp) [Sounds like a threat by this staunch royalist, who signed highest responsibility for the police violence against the Nepali people in April 2008!], Rallies, cultural programs to welcome republic (nn), Nepal's government bans protests, rallies around outgoing king's palace to prevent violence (iht), Nepal bans rallies in Kathmandu, by Charles Haviland (BBC News), Maoists to mobilise end of monarchy in Nepal (Khaleej Times), Obstacles to Republic, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop), Twin blasts in front of BICC (nn), Prachanda meets with US official; says YCL's paramilitary character will be ended (nn)

25/05/2008: PM formally asks Prachanda to form govt, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Prachanda gets PM invite to form govt, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Three parties in close consultations (nn), Three parties part ways agreeing to meet again on Monday (nn), Koirala unacceptable for prez: Badal; Maoists reject statute amendment, prez election (kp), Prachanda reiterates stance against statute amendment (nn), Maoists have the mandate, says Sood (nn), Amendment to Constitution: It is for Nepalis to decide: Sood (kp) [The Nepali people have already decided: They want continued cooperation of all elected parties until a new constitution is written by the elected Constituent Assembly!], 13-party panel meet makes no headway (ht), ‘No compromise on autonomous Madhes’ (kp), There can be other alternatives if Maoists fail to form govt: Yadav (nn), Kirat party against One Madhes One Pradesh (ht), PLA suspends Bibidh (kp), Maoists suspend Bibidh over Shrestha’s killing (ht), Maoists deny written agreement to Shrestha family (kp), Maoists to strive to win all seats in next polls: Badal (ht), Nothing will deter republic: UML chief (kp), NRNs not happy with government, by Rupak D Sharma (kp), NRNs say they are committed to nation building process (nn), Pledge to rid country of untouchability (ht), The female face of Maoists, interview with Hisila Yami by Aditi Bhaduri (Hindu)

24/05/2008: Koirala asks Prachanda to take initiation for new govt (nn), Nepal's prime minister asks former communist rebels to form new coalition government (iht), Prachanda says no to amendment (kp), Madhes parties: Include accord in constitution (kp), Madhesi parties to press for autonomous Madhes while amending constitution (nn), No president until new statute, says CP Gajurel (ht), CA likely to take full shape by Monday (ht), Shrestha family hopes for agreement (kp), Uproar over Ramhari killing blown out of proportion: Biplab (ht) [Murder is murder and has to be punished by a law court!], Maoists suspend 'Bibidh' (nn), No mandate to supervise armed personnel: UNMIN (kp), NC cadres hit the streets against Maoists (kp), Yadav harps on Madhes autonomy (ht), Two-thirds or simple majority?, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (kp), Can an ass become a cow?, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), The Post-CA Poll Political Scenario, by C.D. Bhatta (rn), 'Protect historical papers in Narayanhiti Palace' (nn)

23/05/2008: Political consultation continues (kp), Parties dwell on political deadlock (ht), Parties to continue parleys; NC starts street agitation (nn), Newa front chief asks PM to quit (ht), Middle ground (ht), Stage set for Constituent Assembly meet (kp), Ordinance on CA members' oath (kp), Serious violation of arms pact: JMCC (kp), Parallel panels to probe murder (ht), Short of sorry, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), ‘New Nepal needs old foreign policy’ (kp), An indelible mark on Maoists, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Paradoxical power tussle, by Monica Regmi (kp), Conundrum: Tussle Or Unity, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Peaceful Transformation Should Not Be Interrupted, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Changing of the guard: Eviction day nears at Narayanhiti, by Mallika Aryal (nt), Nepal king to leave palace, say reports (Peninsula), Experimenting with commune-ism: The Maoists can’t decide whether to keep communes or scrap them, by Prakash Mahatara (nt), “Koirala must resign”, interview with Upendra Yadav (nt), “Constitutional politics and violence can’t go together”, interview with Ram Sharan Mahat (nt), Sore losers: Democracy seems to work differently in Nepal, by Tapan Kumar Bose (nt), Indian, US envoys in high-profile meetings (nn), Nepal still faces challenges after successful election, UN envoy stresses (Scoop), First meeting of CA will despatch a letter asking the King to leave palace: Dr. Bhattarai (nn), "Govt Of National Unity Is Necessary", interview with Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood (sp), Mine Action: The UNMIN continues works to help in the de-mining and destruction of unsafe explosives, which remain a big threat (sp), Constituent Assembly: For What?, by Keshab Poudel (sp)

22/05/2008: Agree on ceremonial president, simple-majority provision: NC, UML, MPRF form common stance, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), NC, UML, MJF one on statute amendment (ht), Simple majority provision can tame Maoists: Narahari (ht), No alliance with Maoists till 7-point demand met: Deuba (kp), Seven-point condition is for consensus, claims Deuba (nn), Maoists to request PM to invite them to form government (nn), Maoists get green signal to form govt (nn), Valley shut down over Shrestha murder (kp), Bandh backers, YCL cadres clash; 12 hurt (ht), Killers’ pix made public (ht), Letter to Prachanda (kp), Prachanda bows to pressure, agrees to probe body: Ramhari murder scandal (kp), JMCC describes Shrestha's murder as serious breach of CPA (nn), WB has huge confidence in Nepali people, interview with Praful Patel, vice president of the World Bank (WB) for the South Asian Region (kp), Implications of fiscal disparities for federal Nepal, by Shankar P Sharma (kp), Issues surrounding abolition of monarchy, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Unkept promises (ht), NRN seeks representation in CA (nn)

21/05/2008: NC, UML outline constitution amendments (kp), Valley bandh affects normal life (nn), Prachanda says his party is willing to talk with kins of Shrestha; says agitation will mar preparation for republic (nn), Prachanda agrees to Shrestha murder probe (kp) [There is nothing to agree! This one and many other YCL crimes have to be solved and punished!!], NHRC warns Maoists against rights abuse (ht), Dissolve YCL, PLA: Maoists told (kp), Burden of peace, stability on me: PM, by Madhav Dhungana (kp), Prime Minister Koirala says he ain’t greedy (ht), Prachanda, Khanal in bid to forge consensus (ht), ‘Make no haste to declare republic’ (kp), Constitution and corruption, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), Let’s grow together, by Krishna Regmi (kp), People’s mandate Maoists’ wrong perception, by Govinda Raj Joshi (ht), Women In Constituent Assembly, by Indira Aryal (rn), India playing double in Nepal says PM Koirala (tg), Eight blunders of King Gyanendra, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), I am rejected by the people, interview with Madhav Kumar Nepal (tg), Federal system not suitable for Nepal, interview with Chitra Bahadur K.C., Chairman Rashtriya Jan Morcha (tg), Strengthening Nationalism and Sovereignty, by Sujeet Arjel (tg), ‘International bodies should support Nepal’s political transition’ (nn), Rights-Nepal: No Reconciliation Without Truth, by Mallika Aryal (Inter Press Service)

20/05/2008: ‘Serious breach of commitment’: UNMIN condemns killing inside cantonment (kp), Protest against Shrestha murder continues (kp), ‘Money won’t bring my father back’ (ht), Time to look within (ht), Parties still at odds over power-sharing (kp), Maoists frivolous on consensus: Shekhar (ht), Maoists will either lead govt or take to streets: Baidya (kp), PM undermining democracy, says Baidya (ht), Gautam charges Maoists of attempting to end other parties (nn), Top leaders commit to economic prosperity, by Madhav Dhungana (kp), UNMIN completes half its work: Hall (kp), Peace and love (kp), Are Maoists qualified to rule?, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), Sliding towards authoritarian rule?, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Challenges to democracy Time to go beyond the cliches, by Ganga Thapa (ht), NC, UML 'committed' to declare republic from first CA meeting (nn), Prachanda holds consultations with UML leaders (nn)

19/05/2008: Check criminal activities of YCL: NHRC (kp), YCL violating fundamental rights: NHRC (nn), Outrage over trader’s murder: 19 hurt in anti-Maoist demo (ht), Maoists, PLA not involved: Prachanda (kp), NC young turks’ call to arms against YCL (kp), PM should quit to ease new govt formation: Bhattarai (ht), Mend ways to head govt: Mahat to Maoist (kp), Muster two-third backing, Mahat tells Maoists (ht), First meet demands, then seek support: NC veep (ht), NC leaders not ‘assured’ of Maoist intention (nn), Meet Madhes demands or we won’t join govt: Jha (ht), Martyrs’ kin for representation in CA (kp), Wanton attitude, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), Late awakening (kp), There’s no choice (ht), ‘Maoist victory is like flash flood’, interview with Jhalanath Khanal (kp), Tough road ahead for the Maoists, by Biswas Baral (ht), Challenging Conventional Wisdom, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn), Let's learn from Buddha's sacrifice: Prachanda (nn), British envoy for Maoist-led govt (nn)

18/05/2008: Prachanda: NC leading counter- revolution (kp), NC trying to block Maoist-led govt: Badal (ht), Dr. Mahat trashes accusations of 'counter-revolution' (nn), Maoists threaten to quit govt if PM doesn’t resign (ht), ‘I still have responsibility to formulate constitution’: PM for coalition govt (kp), MPRF not joining govt: Yadav (kp), Amend statute before change of guard: MJF (ht), Maoists should lead govt: RJP chief (ht), TMLP asks NC to help Maoists form new govt (nn), Kin demand Prachanda’s apology, murder probe, by Baburam Kharel (kp), Prachanda cautions against giving political colour to Koteshwore incident (nn), PM assures probe into Shrestha's killing; Koteshwor locals continue protest (nn), Anti-Maoist protests over businessman’s killing on (ht), Demands to disband YCL not justified: Badal, by Dipendra Baduwal (kp) [Then bring them round immediately and place their numerous daily crimes on trial!!], Jwala Singh suspended by party (kp), JTMM suspends Jwala Singh for ‘aiding’ regressive forces (ht), Talks on to bring left out Janajatis into CA (ht), Janajatis demand 16 seats (nn), Our main focus is economic revolution: Dr Bhattarai (nn)

17/05/2008: India be wary of US games in Nepal: Mukherjee, by Gopal Khanal (kp), Maoists, Madhesis to form govt: Bhattarai (kp), Maoists set to join hands with Madhesi parties: Dr Bhattarai (ht), UML, MJF agree on republic, statute amendment (ht), NC, MJF hold talks (nn), ‘Maoists haven’t yet changed’ (kp), Killing fuels anti-Maoist protest (ht), Anti-Maoist protests after murder (Gulf Times), NC youths for paying YCL back in their own coin (ht), Parties-NEFIN talks inconclusive (kp), Seven parties to consider NEFIN proposal while nominating 26 CA members (nn), Causes for concern, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), There's possibility of counter-revolution in the country, says Prachanda (nn), NC leader fears Maoists may start politics of negation (nn), Jwala Singh loses JTMM commandership (nn)

16/05/2008: Govt to table proposal for republic: Oath of CA members on May 27 (kp), CA swearing-in set for May 27 (ht), Form national unity govt: Sood (kp), Sood recommends unity govt for stability (ht), India denies knowledge of ‘pact’ on king (Gulf Times), Conditional Support (sp), Local Peace Committees fail to take off, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Maoists never were a terrorist outfit: US (ht) [?], Monarchy On Trial, by Keshab Poudel (sp), “We Want Abdication Of The King With Due Respect And Dignity”, interview with Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda (sp), Collision Course: Major partners in toppling the royal regime are drifting apart ahead of the planned abolition of monarchy, by Sushil Sharma (sp), Toward new Nepal, by Deepak Thapa (kp), The blind-folded NC, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Challenges of the post-poll era, by Jainendra Jeevan (ht), Can Pragmatism Prevail Sooner?, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Irrelevant Conditions Could Derail Peace Process, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), King and comrades: The Maoist victory in Nepal is not as conclusive as is made out, by Sunanda K. Datta-Ray (sp), Dr Bhattarai asks business community to join hands with his party (nn), The Maoists’ first budget: The new Maoist-led government will have to balance populism with realism (nt), Govt committed to ensure representation of all indigenous groups in CA: PM Koirala (nn), People protest against Maoists at Koteshwor for allegedly killing a local resident (nn), The state of our nation state: Preparing the rough draft of history for mythmakers of the future, by CK Lal (nt), Post-identity politics: Madhesi groups will now have to move to the next stage, by Prashant Jha (nt)

15/05/2008: PM urges restraint from leaders (kp), ‘Maoists drafting new constitution in Delhi’ (kp), All in good time (kp), Wait till Prachanda becomes prez, land grab victims told, by Mohan Budhaair (kp), Impunity should end: UK envoy (kp), Dang displaced left high and dry (kp), Dare change, by Ibha Baidya (kp), Contamination syndrome, by Hem Raj Kafle (kp), International experts dwell on statute-making (ht), Nepali politics: The burning issues, by Ananta Raj Poudyal (ht), Hoping against hope (ht)

14/05/2008: Dr Bhattarai tells PM to step down (kp), Maoist remarks show dictatorial bent: Poudel (kp), Poudel labels Maoists as neo-fascists (ht), PM urges for restraint and cooperation (nn), Quit palace before CA convenes, king told (ht), Ambivalence and paradoxes in politics, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Maoists' diplomatic dilemma, by Madhab P Khanal (kp), News analysis: Idea of simple majority toppling govt no more a chimera for Maoists, by Prakash Rimal (ht), NHRC role sought for new statute (ht), Dalit CA members vow to fight for rights of their community (ht), By another yardstick (ht), CA Polls: How Inclusive Has it been, Really?, by Prem Khatry (rn), Dr. Bhattarai urges businessmen to invest (nn), Approaching chaos in Nepal!, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), Detachment? (tg), People voted for the Maoists not for their deeds, pressure factor perhaps!, interview with Narayan Man Bijukche (tg), Baidya reiterates party's stance against two-thirds provision (nn)

13/05/2008: NC, UML not to join govt: Set terms for support, by Yuvraj Acharya & Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), UML to stay out, NC sets conditions (ht), UML, NC may not join new govt (nn) [This is against all agreements as well as against the interests of the Nepali people!!], PM Koirala should resign: Bhattarai (nn), Madhesi parties seek PM’s resignation (ht), PM, Madhes parties agree statute amendment needed (kp), PM summons CA meet on May 28 (kp), CA to meet on May 28 (ht), Nepal King set to lose his crown on May 28 (Asian Age), Thapa warns against hasty abolition of monarchy (kp), KP Bhattarai, Kamal Thapa (ht), Kishunji, Thapa against abolishing monarchy immediately (nn) [These royalists are obviously not able to accept the vote of the Nepali people!!], King told to leave palace by May 27 (nn), SC to govt: Enact law against excessive force (kp), SC fiat to criminalise excessive use of force (ht), 4 armed men arrested (kp), Averting another blunder, by Alok K Bohara (kp), Eastern Nepal affected by transportation strike (nn), Mahara accuses NC of violating understanding (nn), Maoist pushing the country towards totalitarianism: Poudel (nn), Rights defenders urge strong role for NHRC (nn)

12/05/2008: CA parties urge consensus on key issues (kp), Forget presidency: PM told, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Govt formation no cakewalk for CPN-M, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), The only option (ht), Nepal Trust proposes: Royal properties to local communities, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), ‘New govt must nominate 26 CA members’ (kp), Women demand half of nominated seats (kp), 26 CA seats belong to ‘left out’ groups, claims NEFIN (ht), Maoists ‘positive’ on Madhes autonomy (ht), CA poll will fail to liberate tarai: Jwala Singh (kp), PM Koirala meets leaders of MJF, other Terai centric parties (nn), Fringe parties for doing away with monarchy (ht), The way ahead for the NC, by Arjun Narasingha KC (kp), Free advice from well-wishers, by Shyam KC (kp), Women concerned about discrimination (ht), CA election: Its implications and future challenges, by Birendra P Mishra (ht), Student leaders discuss education policy, politics with Prachanda (nn), Thapa meets Maoist leadership to convey King Gyanendra's tidings (nn)

11/05/2008: Don’t join next govt: NC CWC members, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp) [This is definitely not what those wanted who have elected this party! The NC leaders continue their selfish politics to destroy Nepal!!], UML leaders: Go for power sharing, stay outside govt (kp) [This have not been parliamentary elections but those to a CA! Take your responsibility in building a new Nepal!!], First CA meet to form new govt: Prachanda (kp), PM’s unity plea to pen new statute (ht), PM consults MPRF, TMDP, SP: Taskforce meets 25 parties today, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Indian Maoists cautiously support Nepali Maoists: Urge to stay out of govt, by Gopal Khanal (kp) [Stop all kinds of Indian interference!!], Women seek fair share in state organs (ht), Maoist leaders confer with Terai-based parties (nn), AI appeals to CA members for 'effective human rights protection' (nn)

10/05/2008: Tarai violence surges post election; use of arms becoming chronic: Police, by Thira L Busal (kp), Post-poll, vital issues on the back burner (ht), Summon CA: Parties ask PM (kp), PM starts consultation with coalition partner and others (nn), SPA for CA meet after May 25 (ht) Constitution should not be amended: Experts (kp), Amend statute to implement republic: Oli (ht), Strategic firmness & tactical flexibility, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (kp), Mock CA to draft ‘statute’ (ht), PM directs Home Minister to find out Anandi Devi's whereabouts (nn), Indecision mars meetings of NC, UML central bodies (nn)

09/05/2008: SPA meets today to discuss way ahead (kp), SPA to pave way for govt formation: Prachanda (ht), New govt should nominate 26 members: CJ (kp), Police detain disabled protestors (kp), Populism vs Social justice, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), The bewilderness, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), Koirala to be active in politics again (nn) [He should not forget that he has not been elected!!], We won't accept Koirala as President: Maoist leader (nn), Prachanda warns of revolt (nn), Dispute over nomination of 26 CA members (nn), CJ, Speaker differ on CA nominators (ht), Needless fuss (ht), Top leaders agree to call CA meeting in a fortnight (nn) [Wow!!], Food For Thought: An informal gathering of diplomats fuels speculations about formal developments, by Sushil Sharma (sp), Back to the drawing board (nt), Not out of the woods yet (nt), EC puts stamp on final CA list (ht), Relief eludes Madhes martyr’s widow, by Rajesh Prasad Barma (ht), Parallel state bodies unacceptable: NC (ht), Sherchan vows to empower Janajatis (ht), Ethnic students seek more seats in CA (ht)

08/05/2008: CPN-UML condemns Maoists (kp), Over 350 Goit cadres defect to Maoists (kp), NDF submits memo to politial parties (kp), Future course (kp), Implications of a hung CA, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), Neo-Mao in a new Nepal?, by DB Gurung (kp), No constitutional problem in govt formation: CJ (nn), No roadblock to govt formation: CJ (ht), Maoists may opt out of govt if constitution amended: Minister Gurung (nn), NSP-A demands resignation of 'corrupt' Minister Gupta (nn), Present cabinet cannot appoint 26 CA members: CJ (nn), Friday's seven-party meeting to discuss govt formation (nn), Republic tops Maoist agenda: Dr Bhattarai (ht), Miseries continue to dog thousands of conflict-hit, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Reality check: Maoists brimming with post-poll confidence, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Maoists in hurry to lead govt: Poudel (ht), CA seats not enough: Dalits (ht), Do it with grace (ht), Where have the missing gone?, by Moheindu Chemjong (ht)

07/05/2008: MPRF, SP set condition for joining govt (kp), UML for nationwide anti-Maoist protests (kp), Change Maoist ‘army structure’: Poudel (kp), YCL wants youth ministry (kp), Fiscal federalism challenging: Dr Sharma (kp), Garment entrepreneurs tell tales of woe to Maoist chiefs (kp), CPN-Maoist and the CA, by Yadav Khanal (kp), Maoists’ growth target reachable, by Lok Nath Bhusal (kp), Terai parties unwilling to join new govt (nn), Corrupt lots trying to prevent Maoists from leading govt: Mahara (nn), MJF, TMDP to stay out of next government (ht), UNMIN’s job over, says Dev Gurung (ht), Respect poll verdict: Thapa (ht), Election outcome: A vote for peace and development, by Ajit N S Thapa (ht)

06/05/2008: Seven-party meet Friday to discuss coalition (kp) [Please do not haste! All those non-elected politicians can stay in power as long as there is no renewal of the SPA on the basis of the people's verdict!!], Amend statute before forming govt: Masal (kp) [Why??], The road ahead, by Prem Sharma (kp), PM Koirala says constitution making process will be more difficult (nn), MJF chief calls for national consensus before first CA meeting (nn), RSF terms armed Terai groups as 'predators of press freedom' (nn), UML for SPA meet on May 9 (ht), Consensus likely before CA meet: PM (ht), Doubt prevails over simple majority to uproot monarchy, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht)

05/05/2008: ‘Respectable’ role for Koirala: Maoists (kp), India working on PLA rehab package (kp), CA polls: History in making, by Anand Aditya (kp), On the foreign affairs front, by Som Prasad Pudasaini (kp), 'The Nepali Congress better change or it's finished', interview with Narahari Acharya (kp) [You are totally right but I think most of the old leaders prefer the party's death!], JTMM cadres kill Maoist activist (nn), Prachanda for 'all-party' govt; 7-party meeting to decide composition of new govt (nn), Relief for kin of killed contestants (ht), PM, Prachanda delve into nitty-gritty of govt formation (ht), 28 indigenous communities out of CA: NEFIN (ht), Looking forward (ht), Poll analysts: Drawing a blank, by Biswas Baral (ht)

04/05/2008: UNMIN likely to go after July 22, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Prachanda to urge big role on RRP Singh (kp), Prachanda sees special role for Ram Raja Singh (ht), The ideas that won, by Rashmi Khanal Lohani (kp), Discontent in parties over PR list (nn), VDC secy killed in Terai (nn), Republic at doorstep, says Dev Gurung (ht), Prachanda to lure NRNs into development (ht)

03/05/2008: Parties submit PR lists, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), US to drop Maoists from terrorist list: Powell (kp), Maoists should head new govt: Yechuri (kp), CA polls only add insult to injury, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Sense and insensitivity in NC, by Monica Regmi (kp), Enter, the politics of ethnicity, by Deepak Thapa (kp), PM seeks journalists' role in constitution making process (nn)

02/05/2008: 20 ethnic groups left out from CA, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Big parties yet to clinch PR lists (kp), Legitimate reconciliation with Maoists: US (kp), Maonomics: Make them realistic, by Prem Khanal (kp), Reinforce the alliance, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Respect the electoral mandate, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), NEFIN flays govt for violating agreement, threatens protest (nn), US hints at a possible rethink of its Maoist policy (nn), US ambassador Powell meets with Prachanda (nn), Yechury hopes new govt will be formed respecting people's mandate (nn), Civil society activists urge leaders to call SPA meeting (nn), Press freedom still under cloud, three journalists killed in last one year (nn), Beyond The Boundary: Nepal’s national politics draws unparallel international attention, by Sushil Sharma (sp), "In The Name Of New Nepal, We Have Committed Many Mistakes", interview with Laxman Prasad Aryal, hairman of Interim Constitution Drafting Commission (sp), Great hall of the people: Logistics and legal issues need to be sorted out by 25 May, by Dewan Rai (nt), Waiting for Goit: The man could have been an asset in the formation of an inclusive and federal Nepal, by CK Lal (nt), Kick-starting Nepal: Besides the constitution, let’s also draft a new strategy to rebuild Nepal, by Kil Chandra Gautam (nt), South of the border: India’s rulers grapple with new Nepal reality, by Prashant Jha (nt), Revolution to development: Job-creation is about local ownership and institution-building, by Bihari K Shrestha (nt), Snap out of it (nt), Madi victims pin hopes on Maoists, by Surya Prakash Kandel (ht), Bennett calls all to uphold rule of law (ht)

01/05/2008: Maoist lawmaker’s house bombed, kin killed (kp), People’s verdict for cooperation, unity: PM (kp), Learning to live together, by Prateek Pradhan (kp), Politics of healing and hope, by Shambhu Ram Simkhada (kp), Senior communist leader Burma shot by MMT gunmen (nn), King should leave palace right away: Khanal (nn), Maoists can form govt on their own if others do not agree to join it: Mahara (nn), Parties to decide UNMIN fate: Baidya (ht), Big, old NC not so youth-friendly (ht), East-West highway blocked (ht), Understanding the Nepali mandate, by Prashant Jha (Himal Southasian), ‘There is no reason to panic’, interview with baburam Bhattarai (Himal Southasian), The Maobaadi triumph: Seeking explanations, by Kanak Mani Dixit (Himal Southasian), Turning the Maoist victory into Nepal’s good fortune, by Kul Chandra Gautam (Himal Southasian), Democratic revolution (Himal Southasian), Lhotshampa, Madhesi, Nepamul: The deprived of Bhutan, Nepal and India, by AC Sinha (Himal Southasian), Fallen majesty, by Kanak Mani Dixit (Himal Southasian)

30/04/2008: Form govt first, rest can wait: Maoists, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Maoists to lay claim to govt leadership (ht), ‘Without Indian support can’t do anything for Nepal’, excerpts of an interview with Prachanda as published in The Hindu (kp), Bijukchhe for all-powerful prez (ht), UML leaders say their party could join next govt if given respectful place (nn), Mahara says Maoists ready to go alone if need be to form government (nn), NC and Narahari Acharya’s poll, by Abhi Subedi (kp), All eyes on the Maoists, by Bal Krishna Sharma (kp), A country sans national interests…., by N.P.Upadhyaya (tg), We want to replace the 1950 treaty by a new one, interview with Chandra Prakash Mainali (tg), CA Polls as Measurement and Scaling of Political Parties in Nepal, by Prem Sharma (tg), In Nepal the Communists have won!, by Niraj Aryal (tg), Groups warn of armed struggle to keep Hindu monarchy (nn)

29/04/2008: President, PM, Speaker for different parties: UML for sharing top posts (kp), UML insists on power-sharing; doesn't want to stay in current government (nn), No alternative to leadership of next govt: Prachanda (nn), Bhattarai reiterates his party's claim for govt's leadership (nn), Maoist CC decides to stake claim of govt leadership (nn), Start consultations for new govt: PM (kp), Parties intensify internal discussions (nn), ‘Support won’t rely on power sharing’ (kp), Sharma’s killing was accidental: Bodyguard, by Motilal Poudel (kp), New cabinet will have 50 pc women: Mahara (kp), Women and politics Is voting enough?, by Sagun Basnet (kp), Youth and politics (kp), The journey ahead, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), UNMIN's exit strategy, by Trilochan Upreti (kp),  Maoists say poll success ‘as expected’ (ht), Taking responsibility (ht), A Tharu group opposes single terai province (nn), Nepal: End of Kingship & Rise of Maoism, by Tanveer Jafri (Global Politician), The Political Consensus & Logical Sequence of People's Mandate of Nepal, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician), A Catch-22 Logic of a Cultural-King of Nepal for Maoists to Ingest, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician), Maoists’ victory in Nepal hailed as good omen for S.Asia (Dawn)

28/04/2008: Big 4 for statute amendment: Maoists have a condition, though, by Kosh Raj Koirala (kp), UML unwilling to support Maoists (kp), Mines being removed (kp), ‘Ensure space for women’ (kp), Mandate and its indications, by Lok Raj Baral (kp), Missed by miles, by Shyam KC (kp), ‘If Madhes is not addressed, MPRF cannot join coalition’, interview with Upendra Yadav (kp), Row over government formation deepens (ht), Talks on to rope in new kids on the block (ht), A-G calls parties to draft statute presto, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Moving the goalposts (ht), Focus On Inclusion (rn), First sitting of CA to declare republic: PM (nn), Prachanda intensifies political parleys (nn), Nepal PM urges political parties to form new coalition government (iht), Nepal’s most neglected have high hopes of Maoists (One World South Asia), Pariah Diplomacy, by Jimmy Carter (New York Times), Maoists need to convince opposition of their commitment to democracy, by Krittivas Mukherjee (Dawn), Political Maneuvers in Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop), Maoists have right to lead next govt: MJF chief (nn)

27/04/2008: Let Maoists lead govt: UML youths (kp), UML emphasizes consensus, cooperation (kp), ‘Maoists should lead new govt’ (kp), NC, UML seek new agreement with Maoists (ht), News analysis: NC, UML apprehensive about a ‘militant’ govt, by Prakash Rimal (ht), Rajkaji against Koirala at helm again (ht) [Girija is not legitimated by the Nepali people to stay in ofiice!!], UML demands action against Sharma’s murderers (kp), Former minister Khadka charged with murder, by Surya Mani Gautam (ht), MJF ready to extend conditional cooperation to Maoists (nn), MJF leaders meet with NC, UML, Maoist leadership; call for amendment in constitution (nn), Turn Nepal into a Hindu state: WHF (nn) [Expel the WHF from Nepal!], PM Koirala meets with army chief (nn) [??], There will be a consensus govt: Mahara (nn), Nepali mind, by Howard Roak (kp)

26/04/2008: NC wants Koirala to continue as PM; UML leader sets terms for Maoist-led govt (kp), Rs 1 lakh relief each for 13,246 conflict dead (kp), ‘New constitution to ensure press freedom’ (kp), Out of touch (kp), ‘Stop intimidation to attract investors’ (kp), Pangs of democratic mandate, by Som Prasad Pudasaini (kp), Maoist victory for change, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Road to republic clear: Prachanda (ht), 'NC won't give up govt's leadership unless Maoists dump weapons' (nn) [Of course do the Maoists have to give up militancy but what the NC claims is a putsch against the democratic desicion of the sovereign people!!]

25/04/2008: 25 parties secure PR seats, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Final PR election results today: EC (ht), EC declares PR results; Maoists bag 100 seats, NC 73 and UML 70 (nn), Nepal Vote Count Ends, and Maoists Form Largest Party (New York Times), NC leaders: Change of govt a non-issue, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Prachanda urges pressure on parties (kp), Leaders, lawyers stress politics of consensus (kp), ‘Army integration no problem’ (kp), 6 Maoist-seized houses returned (kp), Assistance for conflict victims remains unused (nn), Maoists seek world sympathy (ht), Let’s cooperate: Maoist leaders lobby the international community for trust and support, by Dewan Rai (nt), Don’t subvert mandate, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), The before and the after, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Stop rationalizing defeat, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), Constitutional ‘glitch’ may hinder govt formation, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Mission drift: The new government should not forget what it was elected for, by Ashutosh Tiwari, CA vote: A communication perspective, by Lal D Rai (ht), Family members claim 25 died in Rautahat bomb blast (nn), Third of the sky, by Mallika Aryal (nt), Rainbow assembly, by Dewan Rai (nt), Among the alchemists: Miracles won’t save us, a reality check will, by CK Lal (nt), Poll post-mortem: Winners or losers, Madhesi parties don’t have a clear plan for the future, by Prashant Jha (nt), Peace on a war-footing (nt), Illusive Mandate, by Keshab Poudel (sp), Poles Apart: Major parties brace for internal polarization over the formation of a new government, by Sushil Sharma (sp), Present Tense: Despite the election of an out-and-out republican assembly, key actors put the monarchy at the centre-stage, by Sushil Sharma (sp), "We Support The Right To Self Determination In Kashmir and Tibet Also”, interview with Baburam Bhattarai (sp)

24/03/2008: EC completes vote count, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Counting over; Maoists poll 29 pc votes (ht), PR counting over, Maoists to bag around 100 seats (nn), Nepal's former communist rebels win election, by Binaj Gurubacharya (Globe and Mail), Nepal’s Maoists Win Most Seats of Any Party in Elections (New York Times), Official: Nepal's Maoists have won the most seats in the country's new assembly (iht), Maoists seek coalition govt after Nepal poll win (Dawn), Prachanda led government within a month: Sharma (nn), ‘Most wanted’ CA member to miss first meeting (kp), Baban Singh denies hand in valley blasts (ht), First CA meet can’t abolish monarchy, says Upendra Yadav (ht), Defining democracy (kp), Maoists promise investor-friendly Nepal (kp), Maoists vow to create conducive environment (ht), Prachanda holds interaction with donors and diplomats (nn), Unlocking some constitutional issues, by Bipin Adhikari (kp), On your Marx, by Shreedhar Gautam (kp), Women, polls and power, by Sangita Rayamajhi (kp), Election outcome: Challenges ahead, by Ganga Thapa (ht), Untenable (ht), Rights violation of minors still rampant: UN report (nn), Nepal Maoists not ready to renounce violence, yet, by Krittivas Mukherjee (Reuters), Former rebels conciliatory after election victory in Nepal, by Randeep Ramesh (Guardian), Nepal needs a makeover, by Ratna Kapur (Times of India)

23/04/2008: PR vote counting complete in 228 constituencies (kp), EC tells parties to better PR closed-lists (ht), Maoists' vote share come below 30 percent in PR count (nn), Maoist recorded landslide victory in Nepal, by Leel Pathirana (Asian Tribune), Maoists send most women to House (Asian Age), Maoists claim leadership of next govt (kp), Maoists open to power-sharing, says Prachanda (ht), No redress yet for Janaandolan injured, by Baburam Kharel (kp), NC leaders against joining new govt (kp), 3 hurt as NPF, NC men clash (kp), NC candidate, 3 others accused of blast (kp), Kamala’s priority: Penalty for husband’s killers (kp), Dissecting post-poll pessimism & optimism, by Angaraj Timilsina (kp), Blues before Red Nepal, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), Electoral system: Not quite on the mark, by Birendra P Mishra (ht), Coming to terms (ht), People voted for change: Minister Gurung (nn), This victory has made us more responsible, interview with Ram Bahadur Thapa (tg), Catch-22 situation (tg), Nepal's senior economists speak, Telegraph Exclusive (tg), Maoists must take up the economic challenge (tg)

22/04/2008: Counting over, Maoists score 120 (ht), FPTP counting over, Maoists win 120 out of 240 seats (nn), Janajati first-timers send bigwigs packing (ht), Power sharing a tricky issue, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), Consensus govt must: Prachanda (ht), Maoist to make additional efforts to include all in govt (nn), Maoists to obtain major portfolios: Gajurel (nn), Maoist CC meet to finalize govt model (kp), Top leaders of Nepal's ex-rebels meet to plan new government (iht), PLA integration will be another wonder: Prachanda (kp), 30,000-strong army will do: Badal, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Thakur's loss ‘setback’ for Madhes politics (kp), Baglung untouched by Maoist victory wave (kp), BICC chosen as CA meet venue (kp), ‘Ensure Dalits’ rights in new constitution’ (kp), Call to recognise Dalits’ rights in new statute (ht), Coalition yes, but conditional one, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), Benefit of the doubt (ht), UN urges parties to abide by the polls results (nn), Prachanda meets UML leader Khanal (nn), 2065: the beginning of a New Nepal, by Alberto Cruz (Scoop)

21/04/2008: Badal: King will be denied all privileges (kp), Maoists for abolishing monarchy peacefully (ht), Final poll results possible by Tuesday: EC (kp), Who’s next PM? (kp), TMDP chief Thakur loses, NPF’s KC wins (kp), The haunted (ht), Displaced family still in lurch, by Surendra Subedi (kp), Maoist MP pledges lasting peace (ht), DEAN points out numerous poll code violations (ht), No malpractices in voting process: Australia (nn), Catchy slogans did the trick for Maoists (ht), Are the results of CA unexpected? What influence the election outcome, by Raghab D Pant (kp), What kind of constitution?, by Shyam KC (kp), US to remove Maoists from terror watch list (nn), Prachanda tells parties not to shy away from past agreements (nn), Nepal army must prepare to absorb Maoist fighters, interview with Krittivas Mukherjee (Reuters)

20/04/2008: I shall head the govt: Prachanda (kp), Prachanda to head new government (ht), Polls end with voting in Surkhet, Dhading (ht), Janajatis upbeat after poll showing; bag 82 seats, by Razen Manandhar (ht), Maoists keep lead in PR vote count (nn), PR counting closer to conclusion; Maoists bag 30 percent of votes (ht), Girl votes for Maoists, dad evicts her from home, by Tika R Pradhan (ht), Beside the fire line is a matchbox, by Babu Ram Neupane (kp), Maoism and academics, by Arun Gupto (kp), UML accuses Maoists of rigging election (ht) [Better revise your own mistakes first!], 62 cases of violation of press freedom during polls (ht), Mine defusing work yet to begin (ht), Gyanendra misjudged results of key elections (Gulf Times), King could get cultural rights, says Dr. Bhattarai (nn) [???], King might be forcefully evicted if he does not leave palace voluntarily: Badal (nn), Prachanda confers with Indian envoy; Maoists to confer with MJF (nn), Mahantha Thakur loses in Sarlahi (nn)

19/04/2008: Minority report (kp), ‘I’m ready to discuss it with him’, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), PM urges UML ministers not to resign (kp), UNMIN not necessary: C P Gajurel; UNMIN role not over: Martin (kp), No extension of UNMIN term: Gajurel (ht), NC urges Maoist brass to stop cadre violence (kp), NHRC points out lapses during polls (kp), NFDN to train CA members (kp), MJF not to join govt ‘till pacts are implemented’ (ht), MJF seeks implementation of past agreements to join new govt (nn), Meaning of democracy in Nepal: Fulfil people's aspirations (Central Chronicle), The order of the day, by Bhimarshan Acharya (kp), Newa ‘state’ and performance culture, by Shiva Rijal (kp), 'Overthrowing monarchy legitimately will be a unique exercise' (nn)

18/04/2008: Maoists pocket one-third votes in PR (nn), Maoists' share in PR votes come down to 30 percent (nn), Prachanda urges UML to join new government (kp), UML’s rider to join Maoist-led govt (ht), Dismantle YCL: Nepal advises Prachanda (nn), PM asks UML ministers to return to work (nn), Nepali Congress not to quit government (ht), NC leaders to Maoists: Abide by past agreements for alliance (nn), MJF likely to give Maoists a hard time (ht), Stay away (kp), Insurgency paralyzed him, now he hopes to publish, by Baburam Kharel (kp), Remembering not to forget: Relatives of the war dead come to terms with the Maoist victory, by Mallika Aryal (nt), Maoist winners return to villages, by Shahiman Rai (kp), Poll-related violence against women recorded (kp), Election post-mortem, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), Unfinished business, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Wanted permanent Gandhis, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), Rise of the Red: Inexplicable Results, by Keshab Poudel (sp), Red Alert: The electoral outcome has left many key stakers in a flux, by Sushil Sharma (sp), Observer's Report: Clean Chit (sp), Outside Perspective: The international community welcomes the smooth conduct of election and anxiously watches its results unfurl (sp), Fall Of Titans: From east to west, many established leaders were made to bite the dust by political minnows, by Sanjaya Dhakal (sp), Hurdles in declaring republic?, by Ananta Raj Luitel [This decision will be taken by the CA and not by the government! Where's the problem?], Promises not enough, Maoists told (ht), Now, action (ht) [Only a new government that is elected by the CA can act, not a single political party that will definitely not get an absolute majority in the CA!!], From revolution to crisis management: In government, the Maoists will face serious economic challenges, by Dewan Rai (nt), Maonomics: How will the Maoists turn their economic policies into action?, by Artha Beed (nt), Business reax (nt), Prachanda intensifies meetings with business community (nn), 'CPN-M won't implement its agendas forcefully' (nn), Welcome to New Nepal, by Kunda Dixit (nt), After the landslide: “Help the poor, bring jobs and control the price rise”, by Shrishti Adhikari (nt), The survival of the weakest: The war hasn’t ended, it has just begun, by CK Lal (nt), Hardly surprising: The Maoists’ organisational skills paid off, by Deepak Thapa (nt), Forum in Maostan: A historical injustice is being corrected in a democratic framework, by Prashant Jha (nt), Another Maoland: Not many Chinese are aware of the Maoist victory in Nepal, by Aruna Uprety (nt), RPP-Nepal leader shot dead in Nawalparasi (nn), Politician who supported king killed in postelection violence in Nepal (iht), The long march in Nepal: The country's voters have elected for change, but the Maoists may have a battle to turn their historic victory into tangible benefits, by Sanjeev Sherchan (Guardian), Nepal votes in historic election intended to seal peace deal with insurgents, by Matthew Rosenberg (Canadian Press), Poll and Politics in Nepal, by Abdul Ruff (Global Politician), After election landslide, Nepalese Maoists reassure investors and major powers, by K. Ratnayake and Peter Symonds (World Socialist Web Site), A Maoist in Nepal's palace, by Dhruba Adhikary (Asia Times)

17/04/2008: About economy now, by Tilak Rawal (kp), Maoists for capitalism, economic miracle (kp), Comrades vow to bring economic revolution (ht), ‘New constitution should focus business’ (kp), CPN-UML ministers resign (kp), UML ministers quit govt (ht), Maoists want to lead a coalition govt, says Baidhya (ht), Reality check: People want a ‘unity government’, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Mostly janajatis elected in western region, by Kulchandra Neupane (kp), Maoists consolidate lead (ht), Maoists unlikely to get absolute majority (kp), Maoists lead PR count in districts (kp), Maoists in lead in Dhading PR race (ht), Maoists top PR count in Sindhupalchowk (ht), Terai based parties bag votes in hills, mountains (nn), Re-polling held in 5 Nepal constituencies for special assembly (iht), Repolling put off after arson in Arghakhanchi (ht) [Instead of suppressing and arresting peaceful Tibetan demonstrators in Kathmandu you should better protect the few remaining repolling stations in the countryside!!], The sky has not fallen, by Prateek Pradhan (kp), Tough tasks for Maoist Nepal, by Shyam KC (kp), Education sector: Are the Maoists up to the task?, by Mana Prasad Wagley (ht), New orientation (ht), Bhattarai says King will be removed respectfully (nn), Constituent Assembly Elections Result In A Great Surprise for Maoist Nepal, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician), Post-Conflict News Reporting in Nepal, by Dharma Adhikari (Nepal Monitor)

16/04/2008: Maoists inch closer to clear majority (ht), How seats will be split under PR? (kp), Re-polling held in 32 centers (kp), Re-polling on in five constituencies (nn), NC to study poor poll performance, by Chitranga Thapa (kp), NA to ‘follow directives’ of legitimate govt (ht), Old habits die hard (kp), Independent candidate wins in Saptari (ht), CA election winner has murder case against him (ht), Baban’s candidacy legitimate, says EC (ht), First CA meeting to convene at BICC (ht), Accepting new reality, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Rebels with a cause, by Prem Bahadur Phyak (kp), Will the kursi change Maoists?, by Namrata Sharma (kp), Experts differ on need to amend interim constitution, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), No alternative (ht), Maoists international recognition? (tg), Maoists' electoral surge: What say Nepal’s noted scholars? (tg), Koirala’s crumbling house of cards!, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), Read message on the wall (tg), UML leaders confer with Prime Minister over poll results (nn), Nepal Maoists poised for major election victory; 2 parties may pull out of government (iht), Canada to continue its support after CA polls (nn), Himalayan revolution, by Manzur Ejaz (Daily Times), Kicking out a king (Guardian), Nepal king told: 'Go gracefully' (BBC News), Maoist Election Victory Stuns World: CPN-M heading to a majority under the 240-seat first-past-the-post system, by Prakash Luitel (on), PFN chairman Serchan victorious in Chitwan-5 (nn), UML quits government; PM urges UML to reconsider its decision (nn), MJF ready to support future Maoist govt: Yadav (nn), Maoists garner one-third votes in PR; NC and UML follow as counting continues (nn)

15/04/2008: Maoists lead initial PR count, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Maoists leading in PR count also; UML stands second (nn), Maoists in lead even in PR vote count (ht), Maoists continue to be on a roll (ht), Maoists widen victory margin (nn), Maoist ex-rebels continue to widen lead in Nepal count, by Gopal Sharma (Reuters), Nepal’s Maoists surge ahead in vote count (Peninsula), Nepal's ex-rebels close to winning half of directly elected seats in special assembly (iht), Maoists rout rivals in Sagarmatha zone (ht), Maoists’ victory is positive development, says Pranab (ht), Mahat injured in Maoist attack (kp), ‘Maoist cadres’ thrash Dr Mahat in Nuwakot (ht), Ktm blasts-accused Baban Singh wins poll, by Shiva Puri (kp), ‘Wanted man’ wins Rautahat seat (ht), Prachanda got most airtime in pre-election month (kp), Preliminary Report on Media Coverage of CA Election (Nepal Monitor), Madhav Nepal loses in Rautahat too (kp), Cadres urge UML leaders to shun town centered politics (kp), Looking inward (ht), CPN-UML ministers to tender their resignation by evening Tuesday (nn), RPP alleges foul play in vote-counting in Sunsari-2 (ht), Maoists won’t dump allies, says Mahara (ht), Shekhar roots for a national government (ht), MJF chief asks PM to quit (ht), NC mulling over whether to stay in the government or not (nn), Terrorised poll but positive step toward peace: RPP (kp), Thapa loses deposit (kp), Ethnonationalism & Maoist challenges, by Beerendra Pandey (kp), From rebels to rulers, by Monica Regmi (kp), Political transition: So far, so good, by Birendra P Mishra (ht), US urges patience and nonviolent observance of democratic process (nn), US, UK ambassadors call on PM (nn), Nepal Maoist win rings false alarm bells abroad, by Simon Denyer (Reuters), Analysts ponder Maoist upset in Nepal: Most had predicted that former rebels would place third, by Henry Chu (San Francisco Chronicle), Nepal's ex-rebels surprise observers, winning over half of directly elected seats in vote, by Binaj Gurubacharya (Santa Barbara News-Press), Ex-rebel chief looks headed for Nepal leadership, by Sudeshna Sarkar (Hindustan Times), Maoists' margin widens in Nepal parliament vote, by Jason Motlagh (Washington Times), Nepal Needs Social and Economic Revolution (Arab News), From Lotus Flower to the Fierce One: the story of the Maoist who took power in Nepal, by Andrew Buncombe (Independent, UK), Maoists’ chief looks headed for leadership (Gulf Times), NA ready to obey orders of elected govt (nn) [This should be absolutely out of question!]

14/04/2008: Maoists continue winning streak (ht), Maoists hit century as they head for landslide victory (nn), Nepal's former rebels extend lead in early election results (iht), Maoists embrace democracy, by Randeep Ramesh (Gulf Times), Former Maoist guerrillas on brink of historic Nepal election victory, by Randeep Ramesh (Guardian), Nepal's Maoists head for election victory, by Andrew Buncombe (Independent, UK), Maoists likely to govern Nepal (Peninsula), Maoists on track for landslide in Nepal poll, by Thomas Bell (Peninsula), Maoists hold stunning lead in Nepal elections (Kuwait Times), Maoists, PM discuss govt formation (ht), Prachanda meets PM, urges collaboration (kp), We will lead next govt: Dr Bhattarai (kp), Stung by defeat, NC starts introspection, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Nepali Congress secures two seats in Syangja (ht), NC, MJF fetch seats in Morang (ht), Deuba and Dr. Mahat win (nn), Ilam stands exception to other poll results (kp), Maoists sweep Rolpa, Dang (ht), Maoists win two seats in Banke district (ht), Top leaders who lost election (kp), CA poll winners in districts (kp), Many women among poll winners, by Sangeeta Rijal (kp), Not to join another, either: UML to withdraw from government, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), UML to withdraw from government (nn), 20 injured in firing (ht), 20 injured in clash among party cadres (kp), SMS greetings with political tones (ht), Election’s over: The parties should work together, by Lok Raj Baral (ht), People have voted for radical change: Prof Baral (nn), Unfolding message (ht), EU delegation meets PM Koirala (nn), Mahara for cooperation among parties after polls (nn), The red wave (kp), Enter Nepal's Maoist establishment, by Kanak Mani Dixit (kp), Price of folly, by Shyam KC (kp), First vote (kp), ‘King should leave palace right after CA’s first sitting’, interview with Baburam Bhattarai (kp), Dr. Shashank remains the sole torch-bearer of Koirala clan in CA polls (nn), MK Nepal loses in Rautahat, too (nn)

13/04/2008: Groundswell for Maoists: People vote for change, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Maoists poised for landslide win (ht), Prachanda pulls off big victory (ht), A huge win for Bhattarai (ht), Maoists bag three Makwanpur seats, sweep Dhankuta (ht), Maoists sweep UML base in Lalitpur (ht), NWPP wins in Bhaktapur (ht), Maoists continue winning streak; NC and UML trail behind (nn), MJF chief ousts PM's daughter from Sunsari-5; takes Morang-5 also (nn), Maoists widen victory margin; NC trailing in third place (nn), Prachanda wins from Rolpa-2 as well (nn), Maoists score strongly in Nepal polls (Peninsula), Poll met int’l standards: EU; US should recognise Maoists: Carter (kp), EU observers happy with poll procedures (ht), UK congratulates Nepal for peaceful polls (nn), Polls held peacefully: ANFREL (ht), Poll results reflect people’s ‘yearning for change’, by Lila Ballav Ghimire (kp), Surprise lead for Maoists spells end of the line for Nepal's King, by Ed Douglas (Observer), Home Minister Sitaula, too, bites the dust (nn), Maoists bag 70 seats; NC, UML competing for second place (nn), India says it is ready work with Maoists (nn), Prachanda meets Koirala (nn)

12/04/2008: Maoists take early lead (kp), Maoists spring a surprise, take initial lead, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Maoists expect clear majority: NC worried; unexpected for UML, by Thira L Bhusal (kp), Maoists appear set to sweep the polls, UML crushed in
initial results (nn), Maoists’ good show surprises many in Valley (ht), Prakash Man, Dev Gurung elected (kp), Mahara dons the victory cap in Dang-3 (nn), NC victory in Kathmandu 3, Maoists in Dang 2 (nn), Maoists take Dhankuta-2, Bardiya-1; NC's Suprabha Ghimire wins in Ktm-4 (nn), Nepal's Maoists gain first seats Nepal's Maoists gain first seats (BBC News), Pulse of the nation (ht), EC to reschedule polling at 60 booths (kp), NHRC takes up Surkhet, Dang poll violence (kp), Witness to a drama, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Polling officer in custody (kp), 3 poll staffers freed, another missing (kp), SI finds Nepal polls free, fair, democratic (ht), UN, US, China congratulate Nepali people (kp), Japanese mission lauds poll procedure (kp), ANFREL says polls was successful and credible (nn), CA polls met international standard: EU (nn), FNJ worried about ‘bar’ on coverage of vote counting (ht), New Year, New Nepal (kp), Dhungana praises UML, Maoists’ role (ht), Election fever still gripping Valley folk (ht), UML gen secy loses to CPN-M candidate in Kathmandu-2; NWPP takes both constituencies in Bhaktapur (nn), MK Nepal announces resignation as UML gen secy (nn), Chairman Prachanda triumphs in Ktm-10 as his party takes initial lead (nn), Maoists bag 15 seats; NC and UML share four each; NWPP win two; Prachanda to hold victory rally (nn), Khum Bahadur Khadka loses; Ananta emerges victorious (nn), "We want to continue working with parties and the int'l community," says Prachanda (nn), Carter says US should recognize Maoist poll victory (nn), Maoists bag 27 seats; NC win in seven and UML win in six constituencies (nn), Number of centers needing re-polling reaches 75 (nn), Fall of giants taking its toll; Sushil Koirala announces resignation as NC acting prez (nn), Dr Bhattarai wins in Gorkha-2 with largest margin (nn)

11/04/2008: Nepal stuns world, itself: Poll peaceful, turnout 60 pc (kp), Nepal shows the way: Polls peaceful, turnout huge (ht), Independent candidate among 3 killed in poll violence (kp), Party activists against fair poll, by Rameshchandra Adhikari (kp), Big three, other leaders cast votes (kp), Enthused elders add charm to polls (kp), Carter happy UNMIN, India laud poll (kp), India welcomes success of poll (kp), Parties now need to accept people's decision: UNMIN (nn), Arbour welcomes the CA polls (nn), Historic polls (kp), Zero point reached finally, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), News analysis : Polls acid test of Maoist mass base (ht), A paradigm shift (ht), High profile observers descend on Ktm-10 (ht), Success at last (ht), Poll counting starts in many places; NC's Prakash Man: Singh victorious in Kathmandu-1 (nn), Top leaders say 'epoch-making' election will help Nepal enter a 'new era' (nn), NC candidates leading in most Kathmandu constituencies (nn), NC, CPN-M candidates leading in most constituencies in Kathmandu (nn), Maoists leading in Lalitpur-3; NWPP likely to win both seats in Bhaktapur (nn), Maoists take lead in Bardiya, Dang (nn), Maoists taking lead in Mid-West (nn), Maoists taking lead in most places (nn), CPN-M's Dev Gurung wins in Manang district (nn), Ballot boxes yet to arrive in Surkhet district headquarters (nn), Problems in vote counting in Ilam (nn), MJF doing well among terai-centric parties, leads in two constituencies in Banke (nn), Covering Nepal's first election in nine years, interview with Dharma Adhikari (Asia Media), Bullet to ballot (nt), Unceremoniously removed monarchy: Will this election finally consign Nepal’s monarchy to the history books?, by Dewan Rai (nt), Lazy eye: Election observation was on the relaxed side in Lalitpur, by Sheere NG (nt), Voting for reconciliation and justice: The elected constituent assembly will have to tell the victims of war the truth, by Mallika Aryal (nt), Making every vote count: Vote counting will be prolonged, but this time it will be foolproof, by Pranaya SJB Rana (nt), Home away from home: Expats are as uncertain about the aftermath of elections as Nepalis, by Sheere NG (nt), Post-election integration, interview with Indrajit Rai (nt), Exhaustion, euphoria and ennui: post-election hopes are few, but fears many, by CK Lal (nt), “We are used to the bombs. This is our chance to be heard”: Madhesi voters defy threats and prove everyone wrong, by Prashant Jha (nt), Marketing democracy: The politicians may as well admit that campaigning is a form of marketing, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt), Lost time: The real work now begins to build a New Nepal, by Kanak Mani Dixit (nt), A new page (nt)

10/04/2008: Nepal votes today, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), Nepal decides today (ht), Reality check: Nation embarks on a new path, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Nepal votes in historic election, by Somini Senguta (iht), Vote for hope (ht), PM, leaders appeal to people to vote (kp), Industries announce paid holiday (kp) One more killed in Surkhet, by Motilal, Poudel (kp), NC leader behind Sharma’s killing: Bohara (ht), Injured rescued for treatment (kp), Dang returning to normal after killings, by Sudarshan Rijal and Ganesh Chaudhary (kp), Punish Dang massacre guilty: Prachanda (ht), Killings condemned; teams sent to find facts (ht), Baban Singh's aides held (kp), PM urges restraint, assures independent probe (kp), 31 YCL, 4 NC cadres held with weapons (kp), Poll violence still on (kp), UNMIN, OHCHR, EUEOM ask parties for restraint (kp), UML for poll deferral in 9 Kavre VDCs (kp), Prachanda casting vote after 28 years, by Narayan Sharma (kp), D-Day (kp), CA polls: Nepal’s tryst with destiny, by Anand Aditya (kp), Perils of partisan view, by Shreedhar Gautam (kp), PM in Biratnagar, Prachanda in Chitwan to cast their votes (nn), Polling underway across the country; top leaders cast votes in early hours (nn), Voting postponed in seven polling centres; one killed in Mahottari (nn), Booths 'captured' in Lalitpur, Dolakha and Baglung; clashes in some districts (nn), NC cadre dies in clash with MJF men in Sunsari-5; Sujata demands re-polling (nn), Polling concludes; voter turnout around 60 pc; CEC describes polling as a success (nn), Voting concludes peacefully in Mid-West (nn), India hails election as 'welcome and historic step' (nn), Independent candidate gunned down in Sarlahi (nn)

09/04/2008: CPN-UML candidate shot dead: Curfew in Surkhet (kp), UML candidate gunned down (ht), One killed in fresh violence in Surkhet; curfew lifted (nn), Seven Maoist workers killed in police firing in Dang; PM urges Prachanda to exercise restraint (nn), Five Maoists killed in police firing (ht), Maoist dies in shootout with police in Dang, by Ganesh Chaudhari and Kosh Raj Koirala (kp), Prachanda appeals to all for restraint (nn), Mahara turns back APF security team (nn), Martin says he is shocked by incidents in Dang, Surkhet (nn), Maoists lead in attacks on rival parties (kp), Maoists threaten RPP-N candidate, by Rajendra Nath (kp), RPP-N candidate holed up in district HQ (ht), NC demands poll deferral in Gorkha (kp), No let-up in violence; scores injured nationwide (ht), National, int’l calls for free, fair poll (kp), Foreign envoys urge credible elections (kp), ‘It's a wonderful achievement’; Election will end conflict, establish republic: Carter, by Prateek Pradhan, Narayan Wagle, Damakant Jayshi and Dinesh Wagle (kp), CEC, Carter hope parties will accept poll outcome (ht), Bury differences before polls, parties told (ht), Ban Ki-moon hopes for free, fair polls (ht), Dhungana, Tuladhar appeal for fair polls (kp), Int’l media homes in on CA polls, by Baburam Kharel (kp), Most observers already in field, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), Act responsibly, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), Election vacation, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp), The final countdown, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), Monitoring the CA polls, by Bhimarjun Acharya (kp), UML, Maoists for coalition govt after polls (ht), Within inverted commas: Political parties have no economic agenda (ht), Creating New History Through CA Polls, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn)

08/04/2008: Formal campaign over, country braces for poll: Misgivings remain as clashes continue (kp), Carter to Hashimoto, int’l observers put Nepal in global focus, by Kiran Chapagain (kp), Carters starts parleys, meets PM Koirala and CEC Pokharel (nn), Martin warns Maoists against PLA mobilization during poll (kp), 13 hurt in three separate blasts (kp), 13 hurt in blast near NC meet venue (ht), Maoist violence goes unabated nationwide (ht), Obstruction to poll monitors worries NEMA (ht), Election official abducted in Mahottari (nn), RPP candidate missing since 16 days (nn), NC-UML clash compels authorities to clamp curfew in Dhading (nn), ‘Maoist killed in Solu shot by cop’ (kp), Security beefed up in Solu, Dhading and Ramechhap (kp), Border with India sealed (nn), Martin calls parties to stop blood-letting (ht), Uneasy calm grips Sarlahi district (ht), People’s turn (kp), No U-turns (ht), Looking back, and moving forward, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), Mudslinging on the eve of Judsheetal, by Beerendra Pandey (kp), Drool Maoists, by Dhruva Joshy (kp), Left parties embark on right path (ht), Political transition: CA election and peace process, by Birendra P Mishra, Situation unfavourable for polls in five districts: NEMA (nn)

07/04/2008: 32 NC cadres hurt, two abducted (ht), Maoists blamed: RJP worker killed after abduction (kp), EC seeks probe into violent incidents (ht), EC initiates action against code violators (kp), Election won’t be shelved, says CEC (ht), No let up in anti-poll activities (kp), Preserve right to secret ballot: NC (kp), Choppers deployed for polls begin nationwide patrolling (ht), UNMIN urges parties to work together (kp), Waive tax on donation: FNCCI (ht), Within inverted commas: Time to try younger leaders this time (ht), Show of restraint (ht), EC orders closure of Ghatna ra Bichar program (kp), Women candidates appeal to voters (kp), Federalism with Nepali touch, by Aniruddh Gautam (kp), Federalising Nepal: A Look At The Challenges, Constraints, by Pranav Bhattarai (rn), Civil society reps ask 'big three' to take lead role in making polls fair (nn), Three left parties agree to bury the hatchet (nn), Blasts at Baneshwor, Koteshwor; one injured (nn), Nepal parties wind up campaign ahead of Thursday's election for a constitutional assembly (iht), UN criticises Nepal Maoist party, by Charlie Haviland (BBC News), UNMIN chief says no to army deployment during polls (Gulf Times), New Test for Nepal, by J. Sri Raman (Scoop), Violence feared as Nepal goes to elections (Gulf Times), Maoist chief warns king of ‘punishment’ (Gulf Times)

06/04/2008: YCL rampage unrelenting (kp), 68 NC, UML cadres hurt (ht), NC candidate injured in Maoist attack; another cadre shot in Banke (nn), Prachanda urges YCL to be on ‘defensive’ posture (nn), Prachanda: Doubt not commitment to poll result (kp), Baburam threatens takeover in 10 minutes (kp), CPN-United cadres thrash NC men in Baglung (nn), NC slams civil servants' rally, state media tilt (kp), Civil society rallies for peaceful polls (kp), All flag carriers not party champions, by Pradip Myangbo (kp), Planetary tendencies for new Nepal, by Tika Upreti (kp), Guardians of the nation, by Kapil Bisht (kp), EC calls for reliable security for election (ht), NEOC asks govt to improve security (ht), Valley blasts: Police suspect four groups (ht), Candidate’s killer caught (Gulf Times), Democratic premium in Nepal is getting bigger and wider, by Bhuwan Thapaliya (Global Politician), Prachanda feels media has jaundiced eyes (nn)

05/04/2008: Four bomb blasts in Valley (kp), Four minor blasts in city; no one hurt (nn), Don’t be swayed by isolated events: CEC to observers (kp), Poll observers told not to draw hasty conclusions (ht), UML candidate attacked in Mugu (nn), Cops fire to curb UML-Maoist clash (kp), 25 hurt in Maoist attacks in Dhading (ht), People doubtful about peaceful voting (kp), Gupta hints at possibility of NA deployment (ht), Civil society leaders meet security chiefs on poll (kp), Security situation better after 10-pt pact, says civil society (ht), Professional organisations organise rallies countrywide for peaceful polls (nn), Sections of media biased in poll reporting: Report (kp), RPP pledges to end ‘SPA dictatorship’ (kp), Republic issue to be settled by first CA meet: PM (ht), Gross ignorance (kp), Poll passion, by Sajag Karki (kp), Predicting the Unpredictability, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), Corrupt Leaders As CA Candidates How Could This Happen? by Manoj Rijal (rn), Nepal Maoists seek election backing (BBC News), Fate of Maoist guerrillas looms over peace process (Peninsula)

04/04/2008: Dhungana, Tuladhar head peace committee (kp), 2,500 temporary police mobilized in Valley (kp), Nationwide aerial patrol from tomorrow (ht), Tibetans put off protests until CA poll (kp), NHRC urges free, fair poll (kp), Cops recover guns, bullets: RPP activists protest raid (kp), UML, Maoist cadres clash (kp), Three CPN-UML activists knifed (ht), Sujata’s vehicle vandalised (ht), UML leader injured in Maoist attack (nn), RPP candidate out of fray (ht), Poll Violence Joint Assurance To Follow Code Of Conduct, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Violence should have no place in this Constituent Assembly Election, by Ian Martin (sp), Peaceful Campaigning, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Govt can deploy army as a last recourse: Minister Gupta (nn), EU team on poll mission leaving City for monitoring (ht), UK MEP arriving to monitor poll (kp), Envoys's take on election: Holding polls vital, victory secondary (ht), Don’t be paranoid about conspiracy: Nepal to Prachanda (kp), We’ll accept poll results: Prachanda (kp), Mixed polls: Mixed outcomes? by Bhagirath Yogi (kp), Maoist half-truths, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Post-conflict elections imply compromises: CEC (nn), Crashed Hopes: Women leaders express disappointment over the lack of enough women candidates, by Sanjaya Dhakal (sp), Cautious Enthusiasm: In its second election report released early this week, the UN body cautions about increasing incidents of violence (sp), Constituent Assembly Elections: Knocking At The Door, by Keshab Poudel (sp 04/04/2008), Behave yourselves: The ultra left and right are main threats to peaceful polls, by Kunda Dixit (nt), Some are still more equal than others: Even after elections, Janajatis and Dalits will not be fairly represented, by Dewan Rai (nt), Same old ‘menstream’ politics: Despite promises of inclusion, women are sidelined again, by Mallika Aryal (nt), And what about youth? (nt), Fear and voting in the Tarai: Madhesi parties pick up steam, amidst fear of violence, by Prashant Jha (nt), After 4/10: Give the Madhes a stake in the constituent assembly process and government, by Prashant Jha (nt), An observer observing observers: No election is either completely free or truly fair, by CK Lal (nt)

03/04/2008: ICG cautions of violence on the eve of polls (nn) [see report as pdf], Defeat by conspiracy unacceptable: Prachanda (kp), Only fair poll verdict acceptable: Prachanda (ht), Hundreds of NC men flee villages, by D R Panta (kp), Maoists step up attacks on poll campaigners (kp), Police come under YCL rage in Rasuwa (nn), Implement the pact (kp), Violence continues despite commitments (nn), Tripartite panel told to probe 10-pt pact violation (ht), Major parties violating poll code, says Martin (ht), Martin says Maoists, UML, NC are main code violators (nn), Amnesty officer abducted (nn), ‘Binocular terror’ grips villagers, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Respect rights for CA poll success: OHCHR (kp), Bandh hits life in Tarai (ht), Use of kids in campaigns slammed, by Shreejana Shrestha (kp), How will Madhes mix affect April 10?, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), Pahade voters searching for Pahade candidates (kp), Plotting political suicide, by Prateek Pradhan (kp), More than the seats (ht), In Nepal, Long-Lived Monarchy Fades From View, by Somini Sengupta (New York Times), Maoists make treaty with India new poll target (Gulf Times), The Election Campaign Heritage of Nepalese Politics, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician)

02/04/2008: Leaders ink 10-pt deal on CA poll, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Top guns ink pact for fair, peaceful polls (ht), Silver lining (ht), Curfew in Dadeldhura for 2nd consecutive day (kp), Deuba, Prachanda ‘agree’ to defuse Dadeldhura tensions (ht), Maoists injure NC candidate, 25 cadres, by Krishna Thapa and Prakash Adhikari (kp), NC suspends poll campaign fearing Maoist attack (ht), NC stages indifinte Rasuwa bandh (nn), Maoists’ pre-poll attacks continue (ht), Prachanda urges cadres to exercise restraint (nn), UML complains against Maoists at EC (kp), PLA soldiers should remain in cantonments: Martin, by Surendra Kafle (ht), Election candidate goes missing (nn), Two NC cadres 'abducted'; UML men released (nn), Security to foil anti-poll acts: Sitaula (kp), ANFREL censures parties for poll violence (kp), Election environment is poor, says report (ht), Carter to arrive with team April 7 (kp), German delegates meet conflict victims, by Khumansingh Tamang (kp), Delphi and CA elections, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Leaders Must Show Political Culture, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Why this hatred?, by N.P.Upadhyaya (tg), After CA election a new wave of trust and enthusiasm will prevail in Nepal, by Chandi Raj Dhakal (tg), The UML and the Maoists will both loose the election, interview with senior advocate Sarbagya Ratna Tuladhar (tg), Nepal: Unite or perish! (tg)

01/04/2008: EC cautions big 3 over poll violence (kp), Big three leaders assure civility in polls (kp), Top leaders ink deal pledging to refrain from disruptive activities during polls (nn), UML, Maoists clash with NC men, 23 hurt: Curfew in Dadeldhura, by DR Pant (kp), 23 hurt in Dadeldhura, curfew clamped (ht), YCL attacks on poll campaigners deliberate: Thapa (kp), CPN-U activists thrash PFN cadres, 5 airlifted to City (ht), Leaders stress mutual understanding (kp), Muslims to uphold social harmony (kp), Most closely observed election: Martin (kp), Parties' economic agendas inadequate to transform Nepal (kp), CA polls and human rights, by Navaraj Pudasaini (kp), Top leaders want rights activists to act as watchdog (ht), Prachanda’s view threat to press, says Nisthuri (ht), NEFIN embarks on election awareness campaign (ht), Foul play (ht), Poll Alliances For Peaceful Electioneering, by Ambar Mainali (rn), PM to stay away from campaigning (nn), Royalists join CPN (Maoist) (nn), YCL, Terai rebels prime code violators: ANFREL (nn), A vote for change, a vote for peace, by Siddharth Varadarajan (Gulf Today), The Future for Nepal: Democracy struggles to make it through its infancy, by Samad Khurram (Harvard Crimson 01/04/2008), Peace deal with Madhesis (Central Chronicle)

31/03/2008: UML, Maoists to bridge misunderstanding (kp), PLA into electioneering, UNMIN says (kp), YCL ‘threat’: Vote for us or be evicted (ht), Mosque attack crime against society: PM, by Binod Bhandari (kp), Mosque blasts draw condemnation (kp), NHRC, UNMIN deplore blasts (kp), Bandh after blasts hits life in three districts (ht), Biratnagar closed as protests against Saturday's Mosque bombing continue (nn), Nepal Muslims call general strike to protest mosque bombing (iht), Curfew in Dadeldhura following clashes (nn), Security will be further tightened: State Minister Chaudhary (nn), 18,933 security personnel to be mobilized for poll security in Mid-West (nn), 5 RJP candidates resign en bloc (kp), PM, Nepal, Prachanda to discuss poll issues today (ht), Women’s Alliance urges votes for female candidates (kp), Candidates using Indian vehicles (kp), Cordial campaign (kp), Much maligned media, by Shyam KC (kp), Future of regional Madhesi parties, by Biswo Poudel (kp), Best defence (ht), On To CA: Are We On The Right Course?, by Shyam Bhandari (rn), A vote for change, a vote for peace, by Siddharth Varadarajan (Hindu), Nepal royalists warn of civil war if king ousted (Daily Times)

30/03/2008: 2 dead in Biratnagar mosque bomb blasts: 2 others critically injured (kp), Two killed in blasts in Biratnagar mosque (ht), Two die in Nepal mosque bombing, by Charles Haviland (BBC News), Curfew after deadly Nepal mosque bombing (Channel News Asia), Bomb attack on Biratnagar mosque condemned; PM asks Muslim community to exercise restraint (nn), Don't daydream about takeover by force: UML tells Maoists (kp), No let up in Maoists’ poll campaign disruptions (kp), Maoist candidate’s vehicle attacked (kp), Two ANNISU-R students thrashed (ht), ‘Inter-party clashes may spell disaster’ (kp), Candidate abducted in Saptari (nn), Prachanda’s electoral programmes suspended due to insecurity (nn), Prachanda meets Nepal; assures to tame unruly cadres (nn), Baidya blames India and US for leftist alliance not materializing (nn), India's confidence in Maoists considerably low: Narayanan (nn), Legal remedy looks distant as poll violence goes on, by Razen Manandhar (ht), PM fears disaster if conflict among parties persists (ht), UML candidates defer electioneering in Dolakha (kp), EC can cancel poll if coercion used: CEC (kp), Armed groups to blame for stalled talks: Poudel (kp), Talks with four Tarai groups now uncertain (ht), The CA Polls: Of Leadership and Leaders, by Prem Khatry (rn), Metaphors In The Poll Campaign, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Re-Building a Run-down Hindu Feudal Nation, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician), Mother, daughter still missing after 5 years (nn), Women leaders regret lack of enough women candidates (nn), UNMIN finds election campaigning 'enthusiastic and relatively peaceful' (nn), UNMIN Election Report No 2, 30 March 2008 (UNMIN)

[ht 30/03/2008]

29/03/2008: PLA walkout raises hackles all round (kp), EC concerned about PLA fighters’ campaigning (ht), Minor incidents won’t affect poll: CEC (kp), NC complains to EC about Maoists (kp), Conspiracy to murder us: Maoists; Maoists still terrorizing people: UML (kp), NC, UML cadres clash, 18 injured, by Shiv Raj Bhatta (ht), Cops restrained during Madhes Movt-II: Report (kp), Tarai armed groups’ ultimatum to govt, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), No talks if cadres not released, claim armed Terai outfits (nn), Armed Terai outfits announce they won't talk with govt (nn), NHRC to blacklist rights violators (ht), Experts rule out single-party govt after polls, by Ananta Raj Luitel (ht), Improving The Election Culture, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (rn), Making of Constitution of Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop)

28/03/2008: Tarai security improves with reinforcements (kp), Civil society leaders urge talks to end poll violence (kp), Cool it (kp), We want to cast our vote: Displaced Nepalese, by Balram Baniya and Sankar Kharel (kp), Talks with armed Tarai outfits (ht), Friday's talks with armed Terai outfits put off (nn), Govt re-invites terai outfits for talks (nn), Tarai unrest: OHCHR rap for police (ht), Sense and sensibility (ht), Futile attempt to save monarchy, by Yadav Khanal (kp), All Should Contribute To Peaceful Elections, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Commitments To A Peaceful Campaign Reservations Exist, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Pointing To Challenges: The first election report prepared by the UNMIN points to challenges and difficulties before the CA election (sp), Insecure: Coordinated attacks on rival rallies prove Maoist nervousness on poll outcome, by Kunda Dixit (nt), The view from the other side: Under federalism, the Madhes could be another Bihar, by Prashant Jha (nt), The proletariat and the Praetorian Guard: It’s time to think about a defence minister who wears a dhoti and chews pan, by CK Lal (nt), Constitution Assembly: Emerging Consensus, by Keshab Poudel (sp), Nepal: Reports of Security Incidents (1 - 29 Feb 2008) (Relief Web), Poll environment has improved: EC (nn), UML-NC cadres clash in Bajhang (nn)

27/03/2008: Maoist killed in clash with NC cadres, by Juli Gurung (kp), Maoist cadre killed in Solu clash, by Ratna Prasad Acharya (ht), Maoist poll obstructions unabated (kp), Nine Congressmen injured in Dhading after attacked by YCL (nn), Maoists threatened to kill us: UML leader (ht), Blasts injure 5 APF personnel, 4 civilians (kp), Pre-poll violence escalates (Gulf Times), Election candidate misbehaved in Jajarkot (nn), Five hurt as Prachanda’s car hits feuding students (ht), Curfew clamped in Inaruwa (kp), TMDP, SP forge alliance for 40 constituencies (kp), TMDP, Sadbhavana tie up for polls (ht), Four armed groups form talks team (kp), Govt likely to hold talks with armed Terai groups Friday (nn), Maoist defeat in poll unacceptable: Prachanda, by Saraswoti Karki (kp), We won’t accept loss in polls: Prachanda (ht), Prachanda not for alliance with UML, bandh called in the east (nn), APF in far-west mobilized for polls, by Chitranga Thapa (kp), Morality matters, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), Testing the waters, by Trilochan Upreti (kp), Emergence of New Nepal: The challenges ahead, by Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay (ht), Damage control (ht), 3936 people killed in Mid-western region during insurgency: Report (nn)

26/03/2008: No arms, only poll-related items: APF/CDO: Police, Maoists clash in Butwal, by Amrita Anmol (kp), Maoists, cops clash; strike in three districts, by Mahendra Thapa (ht), YCL unruly activities go unchecked (kp), Maoists detain UML contestants (ht), Maoists obstruct programmes of rival parties; leaders denounce forceful activities (nn), ‘PLA taking to hustings objectionable’ (kp), Violence rising in Rolpa (ht), Banke voters, candidates doubt election security, by Indra Gurung and Surendra Kafle (ht), Security review team visits eastern districts (ht), 170 incidents of poll violence: DEAN (nn), Civil society, public urged to stand against poll violence (ht), JTMM-J cadre killed (ht), Maoist cadre killed in police firing in Solukhumbu (nn), NC, UML should apologize for betrayal: Prachanda (kp), Prachanda claims foreigners are working for CPN-M’s defeat in polls; deplores ‘biased’ media coverage (nn), Maoists, PFN form poll alliance (kp), MK Nepal still sees possibility of leftist alliance (nn), Candidate’s daily routine broadcast as ‘news’ (ht), 15 days to go for CA polls: Close to making history?, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), CA Polls Mother Of All Elections In Nepal, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Validity and Reliability of CA Polls, by Prem Sharma (tg), Whither women empowerment? (tg)

25/03/2008: SPA ‘agrees’ to stop poll Violence (kp), SPA partners agree to put an end to clashes (ht), Build trust (ht), NHRC concerned over poor security, rights violations (kp), Security inadequate for free, fair polls: NHRC (ht), Maoists keep up pre-poll assaults (kp), Maoists encircle NC cadres in Khotang, by Dambar Singh Rai (kp), Nepal Maoists call strike over Indian arms supply 'resumption', by Sudeshna Sarkar (Hindustan Times), Police free two trucks seized by YCL, Butwal tense (nn), Butwal still tense, Prachanda asks govt to clarify the arms episode (nn), People will bid monarchy adieu after poll: Thapa, by Ramesh Chandra Adhikari (kp), Ticket-denied NC ‘royalists’ slam House decision (kp), NC dissidents against federalism (ht), Let the people decide, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), Challenges before ‘new’ Nepal, by Ranadhoj Limbu (Angbuhang) (kp), Monarchy-Maoist unity possible: Kamal Thapa, by Bishnu Subedi and Bhanubhakta Acharya (ht) [?? The only common ground is the disregard of fundamental human rights!!], Code of Conduct: EC must crack the whip immediately, by Birendra P Mishra (ht), Violence and intimidation threaten to undermine Nepalese polls – UN report (Asian Tribune), Nepal: Volatile Politics Might Take A New Twist, by John Lama (Scoop)

24/03/2008: Crucial SPA meeting today (kp), Maoists attack NC candidates (kp), Maoists continue attacks on NC, UML campaigners (kp), Forge cordial relations: EC to parties (kp), Media, UNMIN biased against us: PrachandaMedia, UNMIN biased against us: Prachanda (ht), ‘Conspiracies afoot to disrupt CA poll’ (kp), NC, CPN-UML ‘scared of US’ (ht), Effect CPN(M)-UML union, Prachanda told (ht), Take action against poll code violators: Sitaula (kp), Former PM Thapa's nephew still missing (kp), Police makes public 3 JTMM-J musclemen, by Janak Nepal (kp), New mindset for ‘new’ Nepal, by Shyam KC (kp), Armed groups seek UN mediation for talks (ht), New Nepal ‘merely a slogan’ for parties (ht), Manifestos at a glance: Parties are one on most issues, by Lok Raj Baral (ht), Sense of proportion (ht), YCL apprehends four MMT cadres (nn), SPA leaders agree to bury the hatchet ahead of polls (nn)

23/03/2008: UN Mission Unveils Nepal Pre-Election Report: The United Nations mission to Nepal releases its first report on CA elections (Nepal Monitor) [see original document], MPRF demand stalls Madhesi alliance: TMDP, SP explore alternative, by Ameet Dhakal and Aman Koirala (kp), UNMIN tells Maoists of PLA’s CPA violation (kp), Media role crucial in polls: PM (kp), Maoists murdered poll candidate Adhikari: NPF, by Amrita Anmol (kp), Of graffiti, rhododendrons and swastikas, by Babu Ram Neupane (kp), Parties’ violent ways got to end: UNMIN (ht), Maoist cadre shot dead (ht), Two killed in Kapilvastu and Dhanusa (nn), New war if Maoists lose polls: Dr Bhattarai (ht), UML-Maoists bad blood continues; Dr. Bhattarai negates UML’s role in peace dialogue (nn), Mistrust Within SPA Needs Remedy, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Prachanda regrets 'media discrimination'; spits venom at army (nn), Two JTMM-J commanders arrested; YCL giving 'training' to villagers in Kalikot (nn)

22/03/2008: A year after Gaur massacre Maoists struggle for vote, by Ameet Dhakal & Shiva Puri (kp), Govt invites armed groups for talks, by Kul Chandra Neupane and Santosh Pokharel (kp), Singha Durbar getting deserted (kp), Why UML, Maoist cadres clash everywhere, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), UML, Maoists to avoid physical confrontation, by Amrita Anmol (kp), Parties engage in blame game (kp), NA statement not in good taste, says CPN-M (ht), 5600 valley policemen for poll security in districts (kp), Crime & punishment (kp), EC does it, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Political manifestos & anti-graft agenda, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), NBA suggests federal structure as in US (ht), Why voters are indifferent to PR system candidates, by Arjun Bhandari (ht), Tarai folk not so sure of CA election, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), UNMIN's Role In The CA Election, by Indra Karki (rn), NPF fields Adhikari's widow in Banke-2 (nn), Election programmes obstructed; major parties violating code of conduct: Report (nn), After Years of Political Turmoil, Nepal Busily Prepares for Vote, by Jill Brew (Washington Post)

21/03/2008: ‘Impunity might affect poll’ (kp), EU poll mission, US decry killing of candidate (kp), Maoist cadres, notorious criminal murdered Adhikari: Report (kp), Adhikari murder case: Involvement of Maoist cadres suspected (ht), Place of violence (kp), Maoist excesses hit poll campaigns (kp), JTMM-G in-charge guards UNMIN office (kp), UNMIN man of Jwala Singh outfoxed, held (ht), Govt, FLSC strike 5-point deal (kp), NBA suggestions to CA (kp), Maoist manifesto, by Atul Pokharel (kp), UNMIN: Mission impossible?, by Ramesh Dahal (kp), Not top-notch leaders, but in great demand (ht), Rajis to exercise franchise for the first time, by Shiv Raj Bhatt (ht), Rights activist says political parties taking Dalits for a ride (ht), Amnesty Int’l tells govt: Reform Tarai security (ht), Dangers ahead (ht), People Should Win The Election, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Moves Of The Poll Campaign, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Conspiracies at the Buffalo Inn: There is now only one person who will benefit from stopping elections, by CK Lal (nt), Murkier and murkier: Little to cheer about in the disarray among Madhesi groups, by Prashant Jha (nt), Nothing new, nothing about economics: Election fever forgets a thing or two, by Artha Beed (nt), Mishmash mass (nt), Missing Debate: Even as parties have put forth federalism as a panacea to development ills, economists have called for larger debate on its viability, by Sanjaya Dhakal (sp), Polls In Focus: The UNMIN chief has said that int'l community will have no sympathy on those still clinging to violence (sp), Left Out: The leftist political parties have not forged electoral alliance even though the debate refuses to die down, by Sanjaya Dhakal (sp), The Day of Reckoning, by Keshab Poudel (sp), Nepal conflict victims oppose amnesty for rights offenders (Monster and Critics)

20/03/2008: JTMM-J owns up one killing: NPF candidate, two Maoists gunned down, by J Pandey (kp), Bullets render poll scene bloody in Banke (ht), Death of one or two candidates won’t stop polls: Prachanda (ht), Signals Of Violence (rn), Birgunj ethnic divide healing, by Ameet Dhakal & Sujit Mahat (kp), We could help Prachanda win Ktm or Rolpa: UML (kp) [A CA without the leading Maoist makes no sense if Nepal wants to solve the crisis!], Prachanda, Katawal had met last week: Sapkota (ht), Cops defuse 3 bombs in Biratnagar (kp), CA polls: What after?, by Monica Regmi (kp), We are making history, by Trilochan Upreti (kp), Reality Check: Test of whether Nepalis have control over politics, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Democratisation process: Will CA polls be a cure-all?, by Ganga Thapa (ht), Govt inks deal with Limbuwan (nn), NA won't bow down at elements aiming to seize power forcefully (nn)

19/03/2008: ‘We won’t compromise Ktm 10 for Prachanda’ (kp), Maoists attack police post in Rasuwa, by Baburam Lamichhane (ht), Threats forcing VDC secys to stay in district HQ, by Bishnu Subedi and Krishna Prasad Dhakal (ht), King set to make last-ditch bid, warns Prachanda (ht), ‘Save king’ campaign gets a jolt (ht), The Bhattarai factor! (tg), Fusion of dreams and politics, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Electoral Alliance A Mere Rhetoric, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), New Year 2065: From the political perspective, by Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay (ht), Why the deafening silence?, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp) [on the open or silent support of attrocities against Tibetan people committed by the Chinese authorities and the Nepali police!!], NPFN candidate killed in Banke, Maoists suspend their poll programme in the district (nn), Maoist cadre shot dead in Rolpa (nn), Election candidate's murder draws wide condemnation; govt asked to improve security (nn), Around CA poll in Nepal (tg), Koirala rediscovers utility of monarchy, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), There is no leader in Nepal who will object to the Indian dictates, interview with Sayed Mohammad Habibullah, Political Science Department, T.U. (tg), CA poll in Nepal and the Terai Terror (tg), Making Nepal Elections Successful and Credible: The Carter Center's Nepal mission proposes 12 recommendations to make the CA elections credible and successful (Nepal Monitor), EU Begins Observation of Nepal CA Election: A 120-member team from 22 different EU countries, as well as Norway and Switzerland, begins election observation in Nepal (Nepal Monitor)

18/03/2008: 10 hurt in NC-MPRF men clash (kp), Maoists intervene at UML electoral meet; injure 6, by Binod Tripathi (kp), UML, Maoists trade charges (kp), One family displaced due to Maoist threat; Gautam attacked (nn), Irate UML workers impose bandh in Rasuwa (nn), Candidates barred from organising publicity programme (nn), UML shied away from leftist alliance under US behest, claims Prachanda (nn), UML, NC cadres hurt in Maoist, MJF attacks (ht), Bhattarai’s ‘bid’ to save monarchy (ht), Our own ‘3 a.m. red phone’ syndrome, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), Pre- and post-CA challenges, by Dipendra Jha (kp), Common agendas (ht), Road towards CA Polls yet to be mended, by Amit Pyakurel (Global Politician), Claims and Counter Claims, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop), EU EOM urges appropriate environment for CA polls (nn), Carter Center calls for end to election related violence (nn)

17/03/2008: Maoists attack NC candidate in Okhaldhunga (kp), Maoists fired shots at rally, charges NC (ht), Three armed YCL cadres captured by locals; Maoists attempt to disrupt NC programme (nn), Maoist intimidation remains unabated (kp), Common sense, by Prerana Marasini (kp), EC urges govt to improve security (kp), Rose by any other name, by Shyam KC (kp), Talk to save lives, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), ‘We need the help of Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge’, interview with Surya Prasad Shrestha, chairperson of the National Election Observation Committee (NEOC) (kp), Give us land, we will vote for you: Kamaiyas, by Bishnu Subedi and Uday GM (ht), Good sense (ht), Federation Building Essential Bases It Needs, by Madhavji Shrestha (rn), Blast at UML office in Morang (nn), UN rues lack of transparency in formation of commission of inquiry on disappearances (nn)

16/03/2008: ‘Peaceful war’ if no Maoist majority: Prachanda (kp) [What will be the difference to the warable peace that your YCL is running now?], Final showdown with monarchy yet to come: Prachanda (nn), Maoists turned violent after denied UML support: Oli (kp), CA polls will institutionalise people’s rights, says Bohara (ht), Parties accelerate poll campaigns (kp), Anti-poll activities on rise, by Bedraj Poudel (kp), Migration and psychosocial adjustments, by Subrath Shrestha (kp), PM wants SPA constituents retained 10 yrs after CA polls (ht) [The same politicians had 12 years after 1990 but result was extremely poor!! Nepal needs new 'leaders'!], Gender minorities launch poll drive (ht), Left Party Alliance Still Not In The Horizon, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Election Commissioners meet with PM; draw attention to insecurity in some areas (nn), Maoist candidate abducted in Saptari (nn), Armed Terai groups announce programmes to disrupt CA poll; Maoist combatants deserting camp (nn), Don't Ruin Nepal Elections with the Media Hyperbolism, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician)

15/03/2008: NC, UML to battle it out in Kathmandu 1 and 5, by Ghanashyam Ojha and Yuvraj Acharya (kp), UML men thrash Janadisha distributor (kp), ‘YCL cadres’ misbehave with former minister (ht), Respect others’ rights: OHCHR to parties (kp), UML’s opportunism stalling alliance, says Dr.Bhattarai (nn), PM talks tough on poll security (kp), PM holds consultations with UN officials, civil society reps (nn), Royalists deceiving people, says Prachanda (ht), Conflict will continue if Maoists lose : Dr Bhattarai (kp) [Wow, you fully respect the rules of the democratic system you claim to have joined!], Federalism for national integration, by DB Gurung (kp), Madhesi identity slogan fails to click, by Ram Kumar Kamat and Rajesh Verma (ht), Limbuwan bandh affects poll campaigns (ht)

14/03/2008: Poll alliance still possible if Maoists behave: Nepal (kp), Maoists asked for 60 percent seats, claims MK Nepal (nn), UML injured airlifted to capital for treatment (kp), Stop attacks, intimidations: PM to Maoists (kp), ‘People’s president’ (kp), 93-year-old, fifth grader are poll candidates (kp), Maoists in Ballotfield, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), Pupil power, by Bal Krishna Sharma (kp), Egocentric Attitudes Of Parties, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Active Parties Give Poll Assurance, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), CA fever: Commitments Galore, by Sanjaya Dhakal (sp), Living With Contradictions: From ideological ground to practical politics, leaders exhibit alarming degree of contradictions, by Keshab Poudel (sp), “Knowing federalism as a concept is one thing; but devising it as a workable model for Nepal is quite another”, interview with Bipin Adhikari (sp), Road Towards CA Polls Yet to Be Mended: Security conditions remain problematic, by Amit Pyakurel (on)

13/03/2008: 19 including candidate ‘missing’: Maoists attack UML campaigners (kp), Maoists attack UML cadres; 12 injured (ht), Bhattarai vents ire against 'YCL-bashers' (nn) [??], Anyone can go to people: Youth leaders; Monarchists can not canvas villages: YCL (kp), MJF cadres ruin Sujata’s poll campaign in Sunsari (ht), CEC cautions against obstruction of election rallies (nn), Why UML-Maoist poll alliance was aborted, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Maoists plotting to capture booths: Nepal (ht), ‘I am prez in people’s hearts’ (kp) [This can only be proved by presidential elections!], No sympathy with groups out to disrupt poll: Martin (kp) [see statement], Proposes single Madhes: TMDP unveils manifesto (kp) [60% of the Tarai population are not Madhesis and do not seem to support this demand!], Poll activities gather momentum (kp), Signs of separation, by Shreedhar Gautam (kp), Morality and democracy: Nepal’s recent experiences, by Raghab D Pant (kp), US slams Nepal human rights record (ht) [see report by U.S. Department of State, 11 March 2008], Govt body gets nod to reconstruct 16 more buildings, by Razen Manandhar (ht), More promises (ht), AP Interview: Former Nepal rebel leader says he will accept results of upcoming vote (iht), Nepal: Let the Nation Move Forward with the Unity of Majority, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician)

12/03/2008: Big 3 differ on transitional head of state, by Ghanashyam Ojha and Yubaraj Acharya (kp), Nation gearing up for CA Poll (kp), Make security arrangement effective: EC (kp), Taking no chances (ht), PM to quit politics after polls (ht), PM to call it a day after polls (kp), Koirala to retire after CA poll, What of Sujta then? (tg), Nepal's prime minister to retire from politics after elections (iht), Nepal prime minister to retire after key April elections (Gulf Times), Koirala's unbelievable utterances! by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), Privilege misuse to attract EC wrath (ht), ‘UML, Maoist manifestos contradictory’ (kp), Arguing On Alliance (rn), Will CA polls be 'free and fair'?, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), ‘Agni-Parikshya’ for SPAM, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), Federal Structure: Maoists Lead The Way, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), New federal map: Where do Himali people appear?, by Stan Stevens (ht), Anti-people policies adopted by the Maoist during the so-called peoples’ revolt is against Marxist-Leninist principles, interview with Mohan Bikram Singh, General Secretary NCP, Unity Center, Mashal (UC-M) (tg), NC’s revised closed list is inclusive; 168 male, 167 female candidates in polls fray, by Bishnu Budhathoki (ko)

11/03/2008: Madhesi parties flout constitution on gender balance: Tarai Dalits almost blanked out, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), EC asks smaller parties to ensure inclusiveness (nn), Tarai parties unite; UML, Maoists at odds, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp), Maoists ‘made’ alliance impossible (ht), Nepal ridicules Maoist plan to make Prachanda president (nn), Guessing game (ht), 32 killed in tarai stir declared martyrs (kp), 39 locals fled village after Maoist-UML clash: Report (kp 11/03/2008), 35 VDC secys threatened, camping in Sunsari HQ, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), SPA panel’s meet deferred until tomorrow (ht)

10/03/2008: No talks with armed groups before polls: PM, by Binod Bhandari and Lila Ballav Ghimire (kp), Many rebel candidates withdraw nominations (kp), Several withdraw from poll fray (ht), Maoist poll pledge a ‘Mission Impossible’ (kp), 3 MMT men held with arms (kp), If wishes were horses, by Shyam KC (kp), Validity and reliability of CA polls, by Prem Sharma (kp), 'There has been more secession in unitary systems', interview with Ronald L Watts (kp), Security no concern in PM’s hometown, by Ram Kumar Kamat and Manoj Shrestha (ht), Interim Plan and challenges ahead, by Sharad Shrestha (ht), CA Election and Potential Winners, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop)

09/03/2008: Chances of Left alliance appear slim (ht), Prachanda rues lack of electoral alliance with UML (nn), UML chief rules out possibility of alliance with Maoists at the centre (nn), Maoists’ manifesto a pipedream: MJF (ht), Some Thoughts On SPA Unity, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), UML candidate 'abducted' in Manang (nn), Proportional representation of women is human right: Upadhyaya (nn), UNSG willing to visit Nepal: FM Pradhan (nn)

08/03/2008: How inclusive is the election system?, by Reena Pathak (kp), Women candidates fielded to lose?, by Yuvraj Acharya and Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), International women’s day: Call to ensure participation of women in building new Nepal (ht), Women can lead the nation: Sujata (ht) [What a nonsense, Sujata! Your party provides not even 10% of the FPTP tickets to female candidates!! Do you think the people in Nepal and worldwide are stupid?], Maoists propose 11 autonomous federal states: Per capita income US$ 3,000 in 10 yrs!, by Ghanashyam Ojha and Thir L Bhusal (kp), Additional poll security in Siraha, Saptari, by Kosh Raj Koirala (kp), ‘Govt to use force if seized property not returned’ (kp), Badal for unity against anti-republican forces (kp), They are guilty too, by Ramesh Dahal (kp), Businessmen urge parties to raise economic issues in CA (nn), Janamorcha candidate abducted in Kapilvastu (nn), Nepal still in crisis, interview with David Seddon (nt)

07/03/2008: Ex-Panchas form loose alliance; Madhes parties still at loggerheads (kp), We will accept people’s verdict: Prachanda (kp), 2023 more candidates file nominations (kp), Politics still a no-no for women (kp), Are the CA elections assured?, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Blasts near NC meet venue (ht), Strike ends, strike follows (ht), Electoral Alliance To Push For Republic, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Opening Pandora's Box: With the election for the Constituent Assembly (CA) coming closer, the country is heading towards opening the Pandora's box, by Keshab Poudel (sp) [??], Poll drama: Candidate, cash and caste will decide Madhes vote, by Prashant Jha (nt)

06/03/2008: Reconciliation & transitional justice, by Navaraj Pudasaini (kp), Political developments affecting HR (kp), UDMF 8-pt pact forced on us: Pant (kp), UDMF allies fail to forge electoral alliance, by Atul Mishra (kp), Madhesis reluctant to join Nepali Army, by Sujit Mahat and Aman Koirala (kp)

05/03/2008: Implementation of pacts to be expedited (ht), A game of chance (ht), Case For Political Realignment (rn), Bravo my country people!, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Pictures and pain, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), Don't Bring Army Into Controversy, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Landless communities demand Land Commission (nn), End of Koirala legacy!, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), India had no role in sorting out the Madhesi crisis, interview with Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, Indian Ambassador to Nepal (tg), The government has broken all the rules and regulations while inking the deal with the Madhesi group, interview with Khadga Prasad Oli, right wing activist of the CPN-UML (tg), CA poll must guarantee Nepal's Leg-pulling tradition, by N.P. Upadhyaya (tg), Superimposition of an Autonomous Madhes for Madhesi Homogeneity, by Prakash Bom (tg), Where does Fight for Political Process of Ethnic Identities go?, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician)

04/03/2008: Ensure accountability to protect HR: Arbour (kp), No TRC through ordinance: Victims (kp), Dream merchants (kp), Anti-poll designs, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), The grand design theory, by Surendra R Devkota (kp), New momentum (ht), NC man’s house bombed (ht), Leaders coming back home after years!, by Tekendra Deuba (ht), Funds for MPs won’t affect polls, says PM Koirala (ht) [???], Victims flay Maoists for seized property (ht), Transformational diplomacy: Questions of what and how, by Madhav Shrestha (ht), Relevance Of Left Unity, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (rn)

03/03/2008: All but Jwala Singh ready for talks (kp), JTMM-Jwala bombs NC candidate's house in Nepalgunj (nn), JTMM-G is now ATLF (ht), 16 more parties file nominations: PR candidates total 5,882 (kp), A pinch of salt (ht), ‘Political stability results from compromises’, interview with David M Malone, Canadian Ambassador to Nepal and Bhutan, and Canadian High Commissioner to India (kp), Any feudal system in the Government is not acceptable: Upendra Yadav, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician)

02/03/2008: Govt, FRNF sign 5-point agreement, by Kosh Raj Koirala (kp), Government, FRNF reach five-point pact (ht), East limping back to normal (kp), Three armed outfits ready for "talks" (nn), Procedural error in UDMF deal: Sitaula, by Lila Baral (kp), Maoists have most young poll candidates, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Tarai trio to field 100 each under PR system (ht), Madhesi parties submit closed list at EC (nn), NSP-A to take part in polls (kp), NSP-A and RPP-N decide to join the poll fray (nn), Will spring be silent?, by Raman Grandon (kp), Implications Of Terai Agitation, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Business community organises streets protest demanding security (nn)

01/03/2008: Maoists lead inclusion race: NC, UML improve on past, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Historic deal (kp), Fringe parties object to Madhes deal (kp), NHRC, FNCCI, NCC welcome deal (kp), UDMF celebrates victory in tarai districts (kp), UMDF to go to polls as one entity (ht), A great man shouldn’t have any ego, Thakur tells of PM, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Parties out on hustings in tarai (kp), Govt, FRNF set to ink deal today (ht), Govt, FRNF to sign accord today (kp), Govt, FRNF strike 5-pt deal; FRNF calls off agitation (nn), Will the crisis be over?, by Tilak Rawal (kp)

29/02/2008: Major parties deny dalits candidacy (kp), Women In Politics (rn), Nepal Signs Deal with Madhesh (Nepal Monitor) [includes unofficial translation of the agreement], Govt, UDMF clinch deal, road to poll open, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Koirala government crosses the Rubicon (ht), India, US, EU, UNMIN welcome deal (kp), Cabinet endorses Madhes deal: March 2nd set for PR list, 6th for FPTP nominations (kp), UDMF activists hold victory rallies (kp), Candidates threatened (kp), 1 injured dies, banda hits life (kp), Cop injured in landmine explosion (kp), NHRC says human rights situation has worsened in Terai (nn), Normalcy returns in Terai, eastern hills still remain closed (nn), Govt, FRNF talks inconclusive (kp), Come together, right now, by Ramesh Dahal (kp), Ambivalence of Nepali Congress, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Reality-check: Out of the pitfalls that we dug, time to focus on elections, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Election wisdom (ht), CA Election No One Should Dare To Defer, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Election process begins: What Next?, by Keshab Poudel (sp)

28/02/2008: Talks stall over group induction into NA (kp), CPN-UML, Maoists entrust PM to stike deal with Madhes factions (ht), Govt-UDMF talks linger on (nn), Government and UDMF close to striking a deal (nn), Govt, UDMF seal a deal; agitation withdrawn (nn), India,US welcomes govt-UDMF pact (nn), 15th day of banda: One killed in police firing: Curfew, defiance continue (kp), Sunsari youth killed for defying curfew (ht), Banda defied in Sunsari-Morang corridor: Nepalgunj limps back to normal, by J Pandey (kp), Unrest forces industries to shut down (kp), No poll duty for us: Civil servants (kp), Girl killed in JTMM-G attack on bus (kp), Govt, FRNF closer to deal (kp), Peace process in crisis: facilitators (kp), Inspiring Pakistan polls, by Shreedhar Gautam (kp), Move afoot to mobilise army for polls (ht), RJP also announces to take part in CA election (nn)

27/02/2008: Deal to be struck today: Sitaula: Dialogue didn’t take place: Madhesi leaders, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Stalemate, blame game continue, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Nepal ethnic group talks collapse, by Charles Haviland (BBC News), ‘UDMF trying to save monarchy’ (kp), Three leaders meet to discuss Madhes imbroglio (nn), 33 parties, 2,191 candidates to contest 240 seats, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp) [Non-inclusive politics to continue!!! All parties that do not fulfil the conditions of inclusiveness should be excluided from the elections!!], Election fever (kp), Youth dies in police firing curfew in 5 districts (kp), Another Tarai agitator killed in police firing (ht), Ensure supplies of basic items: NHRC (kp), Bandh takes its toll on Morang students (ht), Another protester killed in police firing in Sunsari; Madhes unrest enters day 15 (nn), Madhesi stir threatens to derail April elections (Gulf Times), No more Us against Them, by Bal Krishna Sharma (kp), CA poll and after, by Puran Agrawal (kp), New Nepal: April 10 election is a must, by Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay (ht), Election Empowers All People, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Talks in a foreign mission was not an appropriate decision, interview with Ram Sharan Mahat (tg), For the Tharu community, Madhesis are those who have migrated from the South, interview with Narendra Kumar Chaudhary (tg)

26/02/2008: Inside story of the failed deal (kp), Talks failed because of 'impossible demands' raised by Madhesi leaders: Minister Gurung (nn), CA poll deferral demand wrecked talks: Sitaula (ht), Trio committed to holding elections (ht), SPA leaders vow to hold polls on time (nn), Security woes grip one-third as polls draw close: Study (ht), 2211 candidates in electoral fray: Nominations filed in all constituencies, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Poll pie: Women get a raw deal, numerically (ht) [All parties that do not fulfil the conditions of inclusiveness should be excluided from the elections!! Else, there will never be a new Nepal!], Continuing relevance (ht), 1 dead, dozens injured: Clashes erupt in various districts (kp), Cop among two killed in bandh firing (ht), Protestors vandalize ambulance (kp), Strike grips Terai on 14th consecutive day (nn), Wrong man in wrong place, by Trilochan Upreti (kp), Why do states fail?, by Shambhu Ram Simkhada (kp), Talks with FRNF reach nowhere (nn), United Tharu National Front calls off strike (nn), Superimposition of an Autonomous Madhes for Madhesi Homogeneity, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician)

25/02/2008: Tharus against ‘one Madhes state’ (kp), Deck clear for CA election: SPA, UDMF finally reach deal, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), Talkathon, high drama till wee hours (ht), Nepal: No autonomy for south before poll (Peninsula), Govt, Madhesis to continue talks on Monday (nn), Cracks in the Madhesi alliance (nn), 21 hurt in Tarai clashes (ht), Curfew in Siraha, Sunsari (kp), Nominations filed for first-past-the-post voting system; two killed in violence in some Terai districts (nn), Banda taking toll on industries, by Binod Bhandari (kp), Schools shut for insecurity, by Shankar Kharel (kp), Strike threatens health, education services in Kathmandu (Relief Web), Do 10-months equal 10-years?, by Shyam KC (kp), Identity and Madhes autonomy, by Arun Kumar Pokhrel (kp), Formal govt-FRNF talks end inconclusively (ht), Target: Election (ht), Need For Dialogue (rn), ‘BJP is against secular Nepal’, interview with NN Jha, currently advisor to the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Lal Krishan Advani (kp), Mockery Of Democracy, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (rn), Nepal: Mounting ethnic tension may lead to humanitarian crisis (One World South Asia), Celebrating Democracy Day in Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop), Dark clouds gather over Nepal, by Charles Haviland (BBC News)

24/02/2008: Tarai banda: Fresh curfews, arrests, demonstrations mark day 11 (kp), 15 injured in Tarai clashes (ht), Strike in southern Nepal continues as talks falter (Gulf Times), Banda hits life in Morang hard, by Lilaballav Ghimire (kp), Tharus say "One Madhes, one province" demand unacceptable (nn), SPA says no to ‘One Madhes’ (kp), Key Madhes demand rejected (ht), Do you have the art of leadership?, by Adity Rana (kp), Rights violators can’t be let off, say experts (ht), Strike, Scarcity Linger RJP, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Civil society calls for timely polls (nn), Madhesi parties again snub EC’s deadline to submit closed list of candidates (nn), India shelling out big money to intensify Terai agitation: Mainali (nn), RPP-Nepal to boycott the CA election (nn)

23/02/2008: On representing Madhes Andolan: Through the prose of otherness, by Beerendra Pandey (kp), ‘One Madhesh one province’ demand unacceptable: SPA (nn), Talks flounder over one Madhes, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), No headway in govt-UMDF talks (ht), Reality check: Change of law won’t end SPA-Madhesi groups’ stand-off, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht), Gupta says govt should amend interim constitution (ht), Gross HR violations in tarai: NHRC (kp), Govt, protesters violating human rights, says NHRC (ht), 60 hurt in clashes in Rautahat, Dhanusha (ht), Curfew, clashes in tarai areas (kp), Curfew lifted in some districts (nn), TWC against separate Madhes state (kp), Parties busy finalizing FPTP candidate lists (kp), UML accused of favoritism in choice of candidates (kp), ‘All parties must abide by rule of law’ (kp), Inclusive representation in majority-vote system, by Angur Baba Joshi (kp), Election Monitoring Need For Fair Observers, by Har Govinda Pandey (rn), Nepal peace at risk from violence, says EU: Calls on govt to ensure international personnel’s safety (Daily Times)

22/02/2008: Curfew in various districts: Indefinite banda enters day nine (kp), Sixty hurt in Tarai clashes, 100 held (ht), Shutdown strike leaves newspapers in Jhapa closed indefinitely (nn), Terai sees some respite on 10th day of general strike (nn), JTMM abducts APF constable (nn), UNICEF and OHCHR express concern over children’s use in protests (nn), Madhes Bandh: Some Points To Ponder, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Leaders reach consensus on five UDMF demands: SPA-UDMF talks stall over ‘one Madhes state’ (kp), PM, Nepal, Prachanda discuss Madhes issues; SPA meet today (ht), Poll boycott hits shaky peace process (Peninsula), EC sets new date for Madhesi parties (ht), Violence in Terai putting peace at peril: EU (nn), Cases in Maoist ‘courts’ in limbo (kp), Maintain the pace (kp), Where do we go from here?, by Sumit Sharma (kp), First president of republic of Nepal, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Shivpuri scandal: NHRC wants tests done in Finland (ht), Time To Get To The Basics, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Intensive impunity: The government’s failure to enforce justice is rapidly eroding its grip and may be contributing to Nepal becoming a failed state, by John Narayan Parajuli (nt), Can’t wait: A deal on the Madhes needs to be struck, and quickly, by Prashant Jha (nt), No transparency please: We only have time for murky deals, by Artha Beed (nt), Power to the people (nt), Nepal must Vow to defend its Nationhood, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician), SPA-UDMF talks end inconclusively (nn)

21/02/2008: Curfew relaxed in Nepalgunj, Birgunj (kp), Many injured in Tarai clashes (ht), AI warns against using 'excessive force' during demonstration in Terai (nn), Tarai bandh: Transporters in east facing daily loss of Rs 50m (ht), UDMF, NC leaders near consensus (kp), Talks between Madhesi leaders, govt fail (ht), Indian embassy ‘mediates’ talks between NC leaders and UDMF (nn), 37 parties submit closed list: Some 4,000 candidates in fray, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), Process for CA election kicks off (ht), Govt to ask EC to extend closed list submission deadline (nn), ‘BJP, US active to thwart poll’ (kp), Royalists, NDA talks foiled (kp), Madhesis, Pahadis and representation, by Sanjeev Uprety (kp), Promises to keep (ht), Disappearances Commission and TRC should meet int'l human rights standards: ICJ tells govt (nn), Maoists in Nepal Accused of Fomenting Political Crisis (Worldpress.org), Meetings close to reach understanding on Madhes problem (nn), Three-party meeting fails to evolve common position on Terai crisis (nn), Madhesi leaders meet UML chief (nn)

20/02/2008: 1 killed in Lahan: Curfew clamped, Biratnagar also (kp), 1 killed, 150 hurt in Tarai clashes (ht), Police kill protester in Nepal's southern plains (Reuters), Curfews imposed in 3 key southern Nepal cities after clashes leave 2 dead (iht), Terai turmoil continues on eighth day (nn), Top UN official in Nepal deplores violence against protesters (Relief Web), JTMM-J activists attack locals, abduct 4 (kp), Maoist district leader killed (kp), Another JTMM faction emerges, by Shyam Sundar Sashi (kp), NC chiefs discuss UDMF demands, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), PM urges stepped up efforts for polls (kp), Poll-shy politics and data terror, by Abhi Subedi (kp), A peace dividend for Nepal, by Gillian Mellsop (kp), Let this silence not be taken for granted, by Paribesh Pradhan (kp), Democracy in Nepal: The April 10 election is a must, by Ganga Thapa (ht), Us v them (ht), Madhes Burning: Why Are Politicians Unconcerned?, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Nepali Americas Council urges agitators to help hold CA polls (nn), FRNF to boycott polls (nn), Communists are deadlier than Monarchy: Sujata Koirala (tg), Sujata's penchant for ceremonial monarchy (tg), Seven Party “syndicate” cannot hold the election to the Constituent Assembly, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (tg), Time permitting, calling oneself a dalit will be prestigious, interview with Purna Singh Baraili, Journalist/Member Dalit Community (tg), Stark Choices, Unity or Break-up, by Rosan Sapkota (tg), 37 parties submit closed lists at EC; agitating Madhesi parties opt out (nn), Prachanda says parties will consider alternatives if talks fail to resolve Terai crisis (nn) [??]

19/02/2008: UDMF sets conditions for talks (kp), Govt could request EC to postpone deadline for submitting candidate list (nn), Avoid excesses: Govt to local admin, police (kp), UNMIN concerned over tarai violence (kp), Clashes continue as banda hits sixth day (kp), Tarai bandh: 150 hurt in clashes in several districts (ht), Curfew in 5 districts (kp), Town still under curfew as Nepal runs out of fuel (Gulf Times), Indefinite curfew in Biratnagar; Terai bandh enters day 7 (nn), Fuel crisis shuts Valley schools Hospitals affected (kp), Food stocks down to week’s supply (kp), ‘Do not hinder essential goods’ (kp), Time for Madhesi realism, by Monica Regmi (kp) [Excellent article!!], SC seeks explanation on third statute amendment (ht), NEFIN to draft model for new Nepal (ht), RJP to boycott CA election (nn) [No problem! This party would not have had prospects to win a greater share of votes either!], Political Confusion in Nepal, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (Scoop), Talks with UDMF inconclusive (nn)

18/02/2008: 50 injured, curfew clamped: Man dies in Nepalgunj clash, by Janak Nepal (kp), Tarai bandh: One killed in Banke clash, 150 injured (ht), Banda cripples east Nepal: Curfew in Saptari (kp), Blasts rock three Tarai districts (ht), Situation in Terai, east worsens as strike continues (nn), Wide angle (ht), MJF leader vows to continue agitation in Madhes (nn), Matrika, too, rejects single Madhes demand (nn), Resolve tarai problems: Carter Center (kp), ‘I'll resolve Madhes issue through talks’ (kp) [Nepal's crisis cannot be solved by talks alone! The politicians must fundamentally change in thinking and behaviour!], Call roundtable to solve tarai crisis: RPP (kp), Hear no evil, speak no evil, by Shyam KC (kp), ‘The SPA is not serious about the situation’, interview with Nilamber Acharya (kp), Regional autonomy: The question of self-determination, by Birendra P Mishra (ht), Local Autonomy In Federal Structure, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (rn), OHCHR’s call to bring an end to impunity here (ht), Curfew in many districts, Terai turmoil deepens (nn), Govt renews talks offer to Terai groups; UNMIN concerned over violence (nn), No dialogue with govt in existing scenario: UDMF leaders (nn), Parties busy in finalising candidates for PR seats (nn)

17/02/2008: Banda day four hits life hard: Defiance, clashes on rise (kp), 45 hurt in police firing, clashes in Tarai (ht), Plywood factory bombed (kp), Terai bandh enters day five; protesters padlock govt offices (nn), UDMF forms three-man talks team (kp), UMDF prepares to hold talks with the government (nn), Tarai demands that affect national unity won’t be met: PM (ht), PM, SPA articulate their bottom line on Madhes demands (nn), One Madhesh, One Province: It's Going Too Far, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), ‘Recognize all Madhes movement dead as martyrs’ (kp), NSP(A) ‘pulls out’ of SPA (kp), PM vows poll on time, by Binod Bhandari (kp), Violence continues in Bhaktapur (ht), Bhaktapur limps back to normal: Goodwill rally held (kp), ‘Political will needed to end impunity’ (kp)

16/02/2008: Indefinite banda hits tarai districts (kp), Banda defied (kp), Police open fire at protesters in Bara, strike cripples life in Terai (nn), PM, tarai leaders begin talks More talks today (kp), ‘One Madhes one province’ demand cannot be met: PM (nn), Bhaktapur under curfew after killing, arson (kp), Man shot dead for violating curfew in Bhaktapur, by Hem Dulal and Mudita Bajracharya (ht), NSP (A) pulls out of SPA (nn), SPA youth wings to mobilize cadres for polls (kp), Prachanda reaffirms his presidential dream (nn), Shivapuri site needs further probe: Experts (kp), Tragic illusion?, by Ramesh Dahal (kp), On representing and misrepresenting Madhesis, by Puran Agrawal (kp)

15/02/2008: Banda affects tarai, eastern hills (kp), 25 hurt in Tarai bandh violence (ht), Banda badly hits daily wage workers, by Shankar Kharel (kp), Fuel shortage hits Kathmandu as strike continues in southern Nepal (Gulf Times), Terai bandh enters third day; locals in Rupandehi resist bandh (nn), Address our demands before polls: Thakur (ht), Six-point demand, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), Govt invites UMDF trio for talks (ht), Nepal’s future uncertain sans polls: Indian delegation (kp), SPA probe on YCL attacks, police raids (kp), Human remains found at Shivapuri (kp), YCL deployment for free, fair poll: Mahara (kp) [A group with such criminal behaviour is not qualified!!], Still half-hearted (kp), The basis of the TRC, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Integrity, Sovereignty Cannot Be Compromised, by Vijaya Chalise (rn), Politically Testing Times, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Prolonged Instability: With competing powers around, Nepal is in for a prolonged instability, by Sushil Sharma (sp), Winds Of Change: Less than two years after a momentous event, politics appears poised for a different turn, by Sushil Sharma (sp), Minister Gupta’s faction to stick with SPA (nn), Curfew imposed in Bhaktapur (nn), The day of the pretenders: Stop posturing and get the elections over and done with, by CK Lal (nt), Breaking the deadlock: We need to rethink the way we negotiate, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt), Destination of the nation (nt)

14/02/2008: Banda paralyzes tarai areas (kp), Strike hits life in Nepal (Xinhua), Nepal strike brings life to standstill (Daily Times), MPRF chief warns of ‘capturing’ madhes (kp), We'll seize power through CA poll: Prachanda (kp), People’s faith in police eroding: Report (kp), Vampire strikes back (kp), Stop coddling despots, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), Negativizing women in politics, by Sangita Rayamajhi (kp), Space Sought In CA (rn), India's Neighbourhood Intervention in Madhesh, by Krishna Hari Pushkar (Nepal Monitor)

13/02/2008: SPA team calls madhesi groups for talks (kp), Tarai violence unabated (kp), Polls apart (kp), Four issues SPAM must address, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), No to one Madhes, by Ajaya Jang Kunwar (kp), Madhes Issue Must Be Solved For CA Polls, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Ensure 33% women representation in CA election: NWC (nn), Strike hits terai and eastern hills (nn), Prachanda warns of ‘revolt’ if polls get scuttled (nn)

12/02/2008: Ensure minimum 10% FPTP seats for women: CEC (kp) [It should be one third in all spheres according to the interim constitution, i.e. also in  the FPTP lists!!], SPA forms new talks team for Madhes (kp), The good, the bad & the mischievous, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), CA poll or Godot?, by Prateebha Tuladhar (kp), SPA and resource allocation: Beginning of the new Watergate, by Raghab D Pant (ht), Priority To Inclusion (rn) [Yes, this can be seen from the government's non-inclusive politics of the past 21 months!!], Is The CA Election A Panacea?, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (rn), South Asia's democratic gambit, by Chietigj Bajpaee (at)

11/02/2008: PR system closed list procedures ready, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), EC gives SPA 3 days to resolve problems (kp), Army too to become inclusive (kp), Lawyers’ meet adopts 13-point declaration (kp), Madhesi Front (kp), Will poll be held or not?, by Shyam KC (kp), ‘The People’s Movement was amazing’, interview with Matthew Kahane, leaving UN Resident Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nepal (kp), UML rejects ‘One Madhes, One Province’ (nn), Govt’s talks team reconstituted under Poudel's leadership (nn), Madhesi Front’s bandh call worries tour operators (nn), Federal structure: The Indian model will be best, by Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay (ht), EC informs parties about polls preparations; Madhesi parties boycott meeting (nn)

10/02/2008: Joint front for madhes launched (kp), Govt renews dialogue call wih tarai groups (kp), On representing Madhes, by Arun Gupto (kp), Where birds hatch national dreams!, by Babu Ram Neupane (kp)

09/02/2008: YCL - Prachanda’s favorite pariah, by Monica Regmi (kp), New madhesi alliance likely today (kp), Three Madhesi parties form new alliance; announce stir (nn), 2 JTMM-J cadres killed (kp), CEC slams parties for painting walls (nn)

08/02/2008: Stress On Ending Impunity, by Kyung-wha Kang (sp), Far from home: Government muddle on IDP policy delays victims’ home-coming, by Mallika Aryal (nt), ‘Janjati Groups Want The CA Polls At Any Cost’, interview with Pasang Sherpa (sp), Maoists, tarai groups disturbing poll environment: NEMA (kp), The incorrigible (kp), CA poll: Rubicon for politics?, by Puran Agarwal (kp), Challenges for Madhesi leaders, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Polls And Recent Developments, by Prem N. Kakkar (rn), Pre-poll poll: Most Nepalis care more about roads, water and power than politics (nt) [see full presentation by Sudhindra Sharma and Pawan Kumar Sen], The games losers play: You can take seven horses to the water, but you can’t make them drink, by CK Lal (nt), Missing the story: Kathmandu’s civil society and media are a part of the problem, by Prashant Jha (nt)

07/02/2008: YCL offices raided, some evacuated (kp), Dr. Bhattarai slams action against YCL, defends revival of peoples’ council (nn), Action after Feb 20: EC; Maoists, UML paint graffiti for CA polls, by Bishnu Budhathoki, A Tharu association says it is against ‘plot’ to term them Madhesis (nn), King Gyanendra breaks 'silence' yet again, slams decision to abolish monarchy (nn)

06/02/2008: Nepal proposes poll alliance with republicans (kp), Pro-monarchy parties to unite for CA poll (kp), Politics, health and silence, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Representing Madhesis and Pahadis, by Sanjeev Uprety (kp), Governance, accountability very weak in Nepal: Report (kp), Maoists resurrect 'parallel government' (nn), SC quashes govt decision to give Rs 1 million to MPs (nn), My role is just limited to being a parliamentarian and a member of the party, interview with Kunta Sharma (tg), Nepali women are seeking a rightful position in the Constitution making process, interview with Meena Vaidya Malla, Nepal: Self-Determination or Self-Destruction, by Prakash Bom (tg)

05/02/2008: SPA halts FSU poll, freezes Rs 1m for MPs: Local bodies after CA polls (kp), Economics of YCL upkeep Rs 1 billion a year needed, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp), EC urges talks, resolution with protest groups (kp), Rs 30b needed for post-conflict work (kp), Strike hits life in east for second day (kp), 8 cops, 7 protesters hurt (kp), Lessons from Birgunj episode, by Chandrakishore (kp), Turmoil in Kenya: Nepal could learn from it, by Yash Ghai (ht)

04/02/2008: Impunity still reigns in Nepal: OHCHR  (kp), Keep on hold Rs 1m to MPs: EC, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp), 13 injured in serial blasts near NC rally, by Jitendra Khadga (kp), Janajatis’ party to fight for ethnic autonomy (ht), Hold dialogue with agitating parties: RPP (kp), Agitations conspiracy to disrupt poll: Prachanda (kp), Strikes hit life in eastern districts (kp), Bandh continues to paralyse life in Terai; MJF cadres clash with police in Nwalaparasi (nn), Structure of federal Nepal, by Kamal Raj Dhungel (kp), Maoist leader says his party is trying to team up with UML for polls (nn), NHRC concerned about JTMM-Goit’s hit list (nn)

03/02/2008: Blast near NC rally, child injured (kp), Ceasefire, talks urged on armed tarai groups (kp), ‘Politics, crime must be separated’ (kp), CA campaign in Kalikot (kp), Janamorcha to unite with Maoists (nn), Prachanda rules out possibility of army mobilisation (nn), Terai sees no respite from Bandhs (nn), UN plays down official’s comment on Nepal (nn), ‘CA polls not possible until illegal citizenship certificates invalidated’ (nn), Serial blasts near NC mass meeting in Rajbiraj (nn)

02/02/2008: 3 dozen UMF workers injured in clash with police (kp), Tarai turmoil taxing judiciary (kp), RPP still undecided on monarchy (kp), Diplomats stress law and order for poll on time (kp), Birgunj blast victims undaunted (kp), Girija, another could-have-been?, by Ramesh Khatry (kp), Debate on NA mobilisation continues (nn), U.N. tries to play down official's comment on Nepal, by Patrick Worsnip (Reuters), Impunity remains unchecked in Nepal: Kang (nn), Seized properties will be returned: Prachanda (nn)

01/02/2008: Finn forensic experts to probe Shivapuri site (kp), 11 more blast injured airlifted to capital (kp), Diplomats, HR groups condemn blasts (kp), ‘No NA deployment in tarai for poll’ (kp), CA crucial for madhesis: Yadav (kp), ‘No TRC through ordinance’ (kp), Overlooking TRC, by Navaraj Pudasaini (kp), Election: Unstoppable now: Five reasons why elections will happen, by Ameet Dhakal (kp), Seven party campaign for CA, by Khagendra N Sharma (kp), Top heavy: Let down twice, Nepalis are sceptical about polls, by Kunda Dixit (nt), Back from breakdown: Post-conflict mental trauma is hard to treat, by Subrath Shrestha (nt), India can help: Our neighbour has influence but in the end the buck stops with Mr Koirala, by CK Lal (nt), Things fall apart: Will the Madhesi centre hold?, by Prashant Jha (nt), Political youth: Our ageing politicians neglect the young at their own risk, by Ashutosh Tiwari (nt), Election preparations: The Shadow Of Violence, by Keshab Poudel (sp), ‘Nepal should do its utmost to leverage the locational advantage’, by Andrew Hall, British Ambassador to Nepal (sp), Limbuwan strike hits eastern hills (nn), Senior UN rights officials visit Kapilvastu to assess responses to last year’s riots (nn), UN deputy high commissioner visits Kapilvastu (nn), Madhesi Front forces administrative offices in Terai to close down (nn), Foreign power centres conspiring against CA polls: Prachanda (nn), Ethnic groups warn of protests from mid-February (nn)

31/01/2008: Blasts during SPA mass meet: CDO among 54 injured, bomb varrier under surveillance, by Sujit Mahat and Shankar Acharya (kp), UNMIN condemns blasts (kp), Election will proceed despite blasts by monarchists, says Home Minister (nn), ‘Use of force in Madhes will backfire’ (kp), MPRF unhappy over accord implementation, by Kosh Raj Koirala (kp), TMDP a new ally of UMF (kp), TMDP lauds PM’s call for talks (kp), A bee in the bonnet, by Dhruva Joshi (kp), There must be another way, by Shreedhar Gautam (kp), Road to delusional peace or piece?, by Ramesh Dahal (kp), Peace minister sees possibility of army mobilisation for election security (nn), Army and police chiefs brief Prime Minister on security situation (nn), Nepal's polls shrouded in doubt, by Dhruba Adhikary (Asia Times), Election monitoring: Is EC functioning as an NGO?, by Birendra P Mishra (ht)

30/01/2008: Talks team to be restructured (kp), Have patience! For how long?, by Arun Kumar Pokhrel (kp), It’s still not too late for Madhes, by Surendra Phuyal (kp), Contest polls: PM urges tarai parties (kp), TMLP welcomes PM’s remarks (nn), Tarai parties linked with armed groups: Dr Yadav (kp), SC seeks replies on Rs 1m per MP (kp), Security beefed up for SPA mass meet (kp), Heavy security presence in Birgunj ahead of SPA assembly (nn), Bomb goes off near SPA mass meeting venue in Birgunj; nearly two dozen injured (nn), Maoists’ led rebellion could not ensure fair participation of the dalits in the overall State structure, interview with Lalit Pariyar (tg 30/01/2008)

29/01/2008: SPA leaders vow poll as slated (kp), NA deployment in tarai not needed: Bhattarai (kp), Govt wants talks with TMDP: Poudel (kp), Implement pact, will help in talks with Goit, Jwala: MPRF (kp), Demand for autonomy undemocratic: Nidhi (nn), Parents of army-killed left in lurch, by Prem Nepali (kp), RPP-N tells SPA to rise above party interest (kp), Conflict and myopic leadership, by Shirish Ranabhat (kp), Federal structure: Resource-based perspective, by Dinesh Chandra Devkota and Ganesh Raj Acharya (ht), Birgunj bandh ahead of SPA assembly (nn), Demands of Madhesi parties will be met if they agree to participate in polls: PM (nn)

28/01/2008: Security beefed up for SPA mass meet (kp), Thousands participate in SPA mass meeting in Nepalgunj despite MJF bandh (nn), Right to assembly (kp), Interesting times, by Shanker M Singh (kp), ‘Almost every Madhesi demand has been fulfilled’ , interview with Ram Chandra Poudel (kp), Sushil re-emphasizes idea of army deployment (nn), Jwala’s men gun down villager in Dhanusha (nn), UN rep asks India to control groups fomenting trouble in Nepal (nn), Political crisis: How will government tackle it?, by Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay (ht)

27/01/2008: NC raps Maoists over YCL mischief (kp), Janakpur rally defies clashes, threats, by Shyam Sundar Shashi (kp), Banda fails to disrupt SPA mass meeting (kp), NC rally despite blasts, protests, by Shankar Kharel (kp), Eastern Terai hit hard by strike, security beefed up in Nepalgunj ahead of SPA meet (nn), ‘Rights of all groups depend on successful poll’ (kp) [Only inclusive polls can be successful polls!!], Ambivalence and remix nationalism, by Babu Ram Neupane (kp), Dalits demand election on time (nn), Bomb hoax prompts evacuation at three municipal offices in Kathmandu Valley (nn)

26/01/2008: Janakpur tense on eve of SPA rally (kp), SPA holds election assembly in Janakpur amid tight security; bandh organisers clash with police (nn), Gupta says MJF not involved in foiling SPA meeting (nn), Govt, TMDP fail to hold talks (kp), 4 cops injured in Rajbiraj blasts (kp), Violence spurts after new poll date, by Kosh Raj Koirala (kp), Leaders urged to delve deeper into Madhes demands (kp), Armed and unarmed Terai outfits reach their own pact of cooperation (nn), Serial blasts rock Inaruwa (nn), Disturbed peace & uncertain poll, by Som P Pudasaini (kp), Act before it is too late, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp)

25/01/2008: Govt unveils 3 phase poll security plan (kp), ‘Security in tarai not conducive for polls’ (kp), Security beefed up at govt offices (kp), Unsafe (kp), Janakpur shut for 2nd day (kp), Search intensified in Khotang, by Dambar Singh Rai (kp), ‘50 pc Madhesi share at center’ (kp), NSP-A threatens to quit govt, SPA (kp), Nidhi says some Madhesi parties are trying to subvert democracy (nn), Terai tense as strike continues in several districts (nn), Getting there: We have to get to 10 April as there won’t be a fourth chance, by Kanak Mani Dixit (nt), “Nepal is not a failed or failing state”, interview with former Indian ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee (nt), Dark forces rising: With the Maoists now on board, it looks like someone else is causing trouble, by CK Lal (nt), Another window: The government has bought itself a little more time to respond on the madhes, by Prashant Jha (nt)

24/01/2008: UNSC to prolong UNMIN by 6 months (kp), Work jointly for polls: Bush urges govt, Maoists (kp), Janakpur tense after clash, by Shyam Sundar Shashi (kp), The change doctrine, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (kp), Human rights and sovereignty, by Trilochan Upreti (kp), Govt comes up with special security mechanism for polls (nn), Political transition: Ineptitude is making it more uncertain, by Ganga Thapa (ht), Maoists push Prachanda for president of Nepal (Peninsula)

23/01/2008: Three police posts attacked in Khotang: 7 rifles, 2 pistols and 528 bullets looted, by Dambar Singh Rai (kp), TMDP seeks govt view on 11-point demand (kp), TMLP refuses talks invitation, MJF seeks implementation of agreements (nn), Sushil Koirala attacked, by Ravindra Upreti (kp), Misreading history, by Abhi Subedi (kp) The road ahead, by Hari Bansha Dulal (kp), How serious are we about CA poll?, by Chandrakishore (kp), Tarai bandas hit exports (kp), UN’s mandate ‘clipped’ following objection from member states (nn 23/01/2008)

22/01/2008: Govt invites TMDP to talks on Jan 25 (kp), SPA urges agitating tarai groups for talks, by Madhav Dhungana (kp), Driver says no reek of petrol, kerosene, by Shankar Acharya (kp), Return seized property for CA polls: Prachanda (kp), Janaadolan III if CA polls not held: RPP (kp), Serial bombing rocks Rajbiraj (kp), No more hurdles to CA, please, by Damakant Jayshi (kp), Who is that Katawal?, by Ramesh Dahal (kp), Police posts attacked in Khotang (nn), New Nepal: Fractured sovereignty, by Birendra P Mishra (ht)

21/01/2008: Three groups unite to push Madhes protests (kp), Little known groups compete to own explosions, by Lila Ballav Ghimire (kp), JTMM-J cadres kill civil servant (kp), NHRC seeks probe into Bara bus fire (kp), Poll prospects (kp), Eat, drink and be merry, by Shyam KC (kp), ‘Madhesis don't want a separate country’, interview with Bimalendra Nidhi (kp), Goit ready for talks under UN mediation (nn), Birgunj remains shut, govt offices closed in Banke (nn), Seven parties organising joint mass meeting in Bhairahawa (nn), Managing Madhes: A litmus test for SPA, by Mahendra Singh (ht), The Irrelevance Of Monarchy In Nepalese Elections, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician), Madheshi movement meaningless: Deuba (nn) [???]

20/01/2008: No poll deferral again: SPA: Bhattarai threatens return to arms if poll put off (kp), Doubt not CA poll prospects: Khanal (kp), TMDP, UMF announce 2 weeks protest, by Shyam Sundar Shashi and Bharat Jarghamagar (kp), Yadav, Mahato call Tarai stir from Jan 23 (ht), Madhesi groups announce protests (nn), Civil war might erupt if election forced on Madhesi people: MJF chief (nn), NSP-A threatens to quit govt (kp), Police rule out bomb in Bara bus fire (kp), Police ascertain identities of 3 killed in bus inferno, arrest 2 on suspicion (nn), UN body wants action against Nepali rebels (Peninsula), Conflict victims waiting for Compensation, by Tularam Pande (kp), Blasts at 2 places in Sunsari (kp), Panchas come to rescue Maoists (nn), Maoist warns of Bhutto-like attack before elections (Gulf Times), EC is capable of holding polls on scheduled date, claims CEC (nn)

19/01/2008: Seven burn to death in passenger bus fire: Five critical, by Upendra Lamichhane (kp), Seven killed, 27 injured in Bara bus inferno, by Sujit Kumar Aryal and Ravi Dahal (ht), OHCHR condemns Bara bus ‘bombing’; urges non-violent demonstrations and political rallies (nn), Assassinations ahead of poll feared: Prachanda (kp), SPA eastern region joint assembly today (kp), JTMM-J abducted found dead (kp), Majority of Madhesi demands fulfilled: Nidhi, Nepal (kp), 2 held over Bhotahiti blast (kp), Tarai security concerns envoys (kp), Polls apart, by Yadav Khanal (kp), Thus spake the statues, by Shiva Rijal (kp), Mahato 'quits' parliament (nn),