Nepal's political leaders are famous for doing things at the eleventh hour. Only now have they geared up to discuss on the CA's fate, and like last year it is certain that no solution will surface until the wee hours of 28 May.

The CA's extension will largely be determined by how the debate between the NC and the Maoists goes in the next 72 hours. It will centre on two issues: how to manage the arms and the combatants and who should lead the coalition of the three parties joining the government. The NC has decided that the CA term can be extended only if the Maoists come into an agreement on these issues. With the division of the Madhesi Forum, it is now impossible to garner a two thirds majority for CA extension without the NC's support.

No matter how strong the rhetoric, ultimately a consensus on extension seems inevitable. After all, the parties are quite aware of what will happen if they don't agree. This fear is what will ultimately bring them together. The NC and the Maoists have taken commendable steps by setting up a joint taskforce to seek consensus on Tuesday. But if they continue to be adamant on their respective stances, the CA may terminate on technical grounds alone.

The great thing about Nepali leaders is that in spite of their differences and hostilities, they are always willing to discuss things together and usually come up with a solution at the end. Let's hope, a right decision would be taken on the midnight of 28 May.