Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), second-in-command Baburam Bhattarai issued an ultimatum of four weeks to King Gyanendra to leave the Narayanhiti Royal Palace. Bhattarai who is set to become the country’s next Prime Minister stated on Thursday, April 17, 2008 that the end of monarchy will be on top of his priorities. The former Maoists rebel, however pronounced that the King would be provided a respectful living if he chose to stay as a normal citizen of Nepal.

 

With the Maoists heading for victory in the Nepal elections, speculations are rife as to how the former rebels are going to make democracy function in the state. The dilemma is that will they really relinquish their promise of fitting in the mainstream and renounce violence or would they resort to their former ways of threatening and intimidation. The historic win for the Maoists however has revealed that the people of Nepal have already headed for a change and have shown faith in the capabilities of Maoists.