Civil society called it a premeditated crime, the government blamed anti-election forces, the parties believe the main goal of the bombers was to sabotage elections. The verdict is unanimous: acts of terror against innocents has no place in civilised society.

Even more important than 'beefed up' security is the public perception that they are safe. Rounding up the usual suspects (mostly people of a certain ethno-linguistic group) has the danger of polarising communal relations, which is exactly what the terrorists want. Post-terror mopups have to be handled with care.

Surprisingly, the Maoists have also denounced the terror attacks. For a party that had waged war against the state for over a decade employing identical methods, the Maoists have exhibited mature and measured judgement in the wake of the blasts. It seems the former insurgents are getting a crash course on how it feels to be on the other side.

Sadly, a similar demonstration of the maturity needed to create the conditions for constituent assembly elections is still lacking. Whichever way you look at it, the political demands of the Maoists yesterday have become the mainstream political agenda today. The inevitability of constituent assembly elections have been accepted by everybody. These days everyone is a republican, at least in public. Federalism and inclusive governance has been enshrined in the interim constitution. There is no turning back, politics can only go forward from here on.

What Maoists were unable to do after ten years of armed struggle was achieved peacefully in a little over a year. There is no reason for Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to feel defensive or apologetic for the steps he has taken to transform a violent organisation into a party of peaceful politics. But his job is only half done, and carries the risk of a bloody relapse. The constituent assembly elections is his only exit strategy.

The polls are necessary to institutionalise the political victory of Maoist agenda. It doesn't necessarily mean that Maoists will come on top in the electoral politics too.

A political party needs to have an efficient election machinery right down to the booth level. It's the tireless volunteers at the grassroots that motivate an apathetic population, allay their fears, and assure them about the future to come out of their shells and sway election results.

It's an unglamorous, tiring, and thankless task that most Maoist militia are ill-equipped to handle, voting can't be done at gunpoint. There may be inaccuracies and inconsistencies in various opinion polls, but the Maoists know they will be just one of the three major parties to emerge out of constituent assembly elections.

The second-rung leaders of CPN-M seem to be scared of the prospect. After all, they will have to bear the brunt of public disenchantment, and Dahal needs all the persuasive skills at his disposal to convince them that is the best way to gain longterm influence.

Constituent assembly elections are necessary to end the present political uncertainty in which everyone does pretty much what they please. Without the verdict of the polls, the Maoist agenda will continue to be suspect. Peaceful politics is the only path to peace.