Only after the Maoists abducted 70 policemen in Rolpa was the army reluctantly deployed in Maoist-affected areas. Koirala was content with the thought that the army would be able to control the Maoists. He got the shock of his life when he realised that the army was not very keen to take on the Maoists, and were doing little to free the abducted policemen. All opposition leaders had been demanding Koirala's resignation for some time. As the army was being mobilised, Koirala met opposition leaders and requested them not to ask for his resignation while the operation was underway. He wanted to be free of harassment for some time at least. After he realised that the army was not taking any action, Koirala decided it was time to meet the king. Sources say the meeting did not go very well, and it was after that, Koirala decided to resign. The very next day he asked his advisors to prepare a press release and at 4pm, he went to meet the king once again. When Koirala handed in his papers, His Majesty asked him to reconsider one last time. Koirala saw no reason to reconsider and walked out of the palace.