So Girija Prasad Koirala is once more in a position to become prime minister. He is the man who when in office never listened to those who opposed him. He didn't even listen to colleagues in his own party, he fired at non-violent demonstrations, he politicised the bureaucracy and filled it up with kangresis. He played divide and rule game. The question everywhere is if Girija can turn things around this time. The district and regional administrators are still in place. The nominated members of the DDCs and municipalities are still there. The black media ordinance, the one-window advertising policy and there has to be a move to publicise the fate of the disappeared. What about the ambassadors and other appointments? How is Girija going to deal with all this?

Meanwhile, sources say the main cause for the delay in the king's statement on Monday was Crown Prince Paras's reluctance to return power to the people. Paras entered Narayanhiti palace surrounded by security at 6PM and returned to Nirmal Nibas at midnight. As a result, King Gyanendra, who bowed down to the people's movement after thousands planned to surround the palace on Tuesday in defiance of security forces, had to delay his announcement, which was supposed have been made some time during the day.