Distrust is growing about forming an interim government that includes the Maoists. It seems like the process will take a very long time especially with both Washington and New Delhi strongly stating that the Maoists should disarm first. And both the Maoists and the seven parties are running into problems concerning two key agendas of their 8-point understanding. One, the existence of the parliament is posing a problem for the Maoists. Two, managing the Maoist militia and arms is becoming a key problem for the parties. The parties are not prepared to dissolve parliament unless there is a suitable alternative that could form a constituent assembly and draft an interim constitution.
It is clear why parliament is needed. Besides addressing the economic, political, social and cultural issues raised by the Maoists, the parliament has done well in scrapping the king's privileges and political authority. But there are rumours that the parties are targeting the king in order to signal to the Maoists that they too could be easily sidelined. This is why the possibility of the talks succeeding is getting slimmer. India and the US are still not convinced that the Maoists will disarm as easily as the SPA leaders claim. Washington has already warned that it would never support an interim government that includes armed Maoists. Prachanda himself has said that his army will not be demobilised and its arms surrendered unless the constituent assembly is formed.