After reading 'People power' (#261) I wondered if any of the political forces in the country actually care what the Nepali people want? We've had 14 governments, 10 times the number of ministers, and countless bandas in the 12 glorious years of democracy. Dirty political games like trading of MPs, the prime minister dissolving the parliament if a no-confidence motion passed, followed by Supreme Court appeals were more entertaining than the best soap operas most of the time. The second force in this triangular battle, the Maoists, sounded very appealing initially. Here was a political party that was standing for a just society. It didn't take long for us to see the ugly side of their face. They have definitely become a force to reckon with but a despised one.

Then there is the monarchy. Despite all the negative comments of foreign diplomats, political parties and the Maoists after 1 February I was optimistic. The political parties had failed and the Maoists had proved their unworthiness. Most Nepalis just wanted peace and stability. Six months down the line, all my hopes have gone down the drain. So, what is this 'people power' supposed to deliver?

Santosh Khanal,
Glasgow