The declaration by seven political parties on 8 May to work together to find a common approach to restore peace and democracy in the kingdom is the first speck of light we have seen in this long dark tunnel of our feckless party politics.

Not since the national government after the People's Movement in 1990 has there been such unity of purpose to address the nation's problems. Ironically, it comes near the third anniversary this Sunday of the dissolution of parliament-the event on 22 May 2002 that triggered the split in the Nepali Congress and put the country on the path to democratic reversal.

The declaration by the Group of Seven (six erstwhile parliamentary parties plus the five members of the United Left Front) is significant because it isn't just another vague diatribe against 'regression' but presents a consensus agreement on a roadmap for peace and democracy and a workplan for action. Which comes first, democracy or peace, maybe a matter of debate but the document lays out reinstatement of parliament as a least-cost option and a common minimum objective.

Responding to the public's lukewarm support for their past agitation against the king, the declaration also evaluates the parties' mistakes and offers corrections. (However, we'd still have liked to see the NC owning up and apologising for the involvement of its hooligans in mosque-burning on 1 September 2004.)

But by far the most significant aspect of the G-7 is that it seeks to turn the country's stalemated tri-polar power struggle into one in which constitutional forces (the king ceremonially presiding over parties in parliament) can together seek a solution with the Maoists.

The 8 May declaration leaves the door open for the rebels by stating its willingness to discuss a constituent assembly if they abandon violence. Prachanda's prompt and positive response to this must be seen as an encouraging sign.

Given past fractiousness, sustaining this unity will need vision and statesmanship. The parties are their own worst enemies and need to save themselves from self-destructive greed. Once more, the agitation is turning into burning tyres and uprooting sidewalk railings. This time, instead of destroying public property why can't pro-democracy demos symbolically plant new trees where they have been chopped down for instance?

As proof that they mean business, the NC should use the 22 May anniversary to begin reunification talks. If the egos of Sher Bahadur Deuba and Girija Prasad Koirala are obstacles, then the party should look for alternative leadership.

For years now, we have in this space called for the parties to give up pettiness and think of the country. They seem to be finally doing so. The ball is now in His Majesty's court to acknowledge this gesture and meet the parties half-way. The alternative may push the parties and the rebels closer. If we remain divided any longer, we will all fall.