Our party believes that Sher Bahadur Deuba's government should not be likened to those of Lokendra Bahadur Chand and Surya Bahadur Thapa. His reinstatement to the post of prime minister by the king is proof of the monarch's defeat. Don't forget that Deuba was protesting 'regression' on the streets too, just like us. At that point, we said that we would welcome Deuba's appointment.

This does not mean, however, that regression has been redressed completely. Once again, I reiterate that our support of Deuba does not mean that we believe the king's regressive move has been rectified. His appointment may involve the monarch's hidden agenda and we need to be alert and cautious.

If there is consensus among all the political forces, we can go directly for a constituent assembly, leaving the king with no choice but to agree. He should not think that the UML has deserted the movement. The party will not shirk from exerting pressure, either from the streets or from the government, when it comes to peace.

The new government must understand that it cannot make a single move without immense pressure. Deuba believes his reinstatement washed away his past sins. He does not seem to realise that the credit of his reinstatement goes to the momentum created by the people's movement. Deuba needs to be reigned in from time to time, otherwise he tends to go off the track. We need a government to monitor him.

The other parties that protested with us on the streets now seem to have bad vision regarding the Deuba government. Girija Prasad Koirala did not have his way in the latest political development so he opposes Deuba. This is not an honest political attitude. The Nepali Congress said that the five party alliance would nominate one person to be prime minister but backed off from nominating Madhab Kumar Nepal, as was earlier agreed upon. This is why we no longer have an agreement.

The first order of the day is to hold parliamentary elections. With the decision of the elected government and the parliament, the constitution should be either rewritten or a new one drafted. If the Maoist rebels do not agree, we will have to hold elections for a constituent assembly to bring the rebels into the mainstream. For their part, the rebels must allow free and fair elections to take place. They must be active participants too. Only an elected government can accommodate the rebels in mainstream politics.

At present, the Maoists are unclear about what they want. They have flip-flopped on issues like a roundtable conference and constituent assembly. The rebels must understand that when times are comparatively easy, they must be more flexible and open a path to peace for the country.

The 30 years Mao spent in his struggle did not cause the Chinese people to suffer. But the rebels' war has cost Nepalis too much: there is fear and intimidation, and innocents are being killed. This is not the behaviour of a true communist. The Maoists must realise their mistakes the same way as communists did after the Jhapa movement. This is terrorism and the people who spread terror are terrorists.