The Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government ultimately collapsed. Nepal was forced to resign as he could not cope with continuous rejection from all sides. His government and allies seemed firm in leading the peace process into uncertainty. They had not stopped indulging in anti-people decisions and activities. But now the chapter of this puppet government has ended. People should take this as a moral victory of the progressive Maoists. There will now be a real fight between the status quoists and the progressives.

Nepal's exit is an outcome of the recent Maoist politburo decision. The Maoists never recognised his government. They struggled on different fronts and established the outgoing government as a gang of criminals and murders. This is an opportunity to bring the derailed peace process back on track.

His resignation has almost ended the obstruction in the process of peace, a new constitution, PLA integration and the issue of state restructuring. Should the government be formed under Maoist leadership or puppet leadership? Nepal's transformation to a democratic republic, CA elections and the abolition of the monarchy was possible under Maoist leadership. And now, a national unity government under Maoist leadership is the need of the hour to write a pro-public constitution and bring the peace process to a conclusion.

Editorial in Kantipur, 1 July

KIRAN PANDAY

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned one month after the three parties signed a three-point agreement. He was even asked to resign by his own party. His resignation can be considered a positive step in freeing the state, which was being held hostage.

Nepal blamed the Maoists for obstructing consensus politics but also admitted that he could not resolve issues of national importance because of them. This is partially true. But he did not forget to list the achievements of the government, and claimed credit for extending the CA for a year. In fact, the extension of the CA was a compulsion as his government was unable to move the constitution writing and peace process forward. In short, his resignation signals the exit of an average failed government.

The Maoists never supported the government but the government failed to take them into confidence, despite their being an integral part of the peace process. Nepal's government could not even obtain institutional support from his own party. Central committee members as well as CA members ran a signature campaign asking for his resignation. Ultimately, it was the lack of political support that forced him to resign.