Authoritarian rule has turned out to be weak and unsuccessful. The decision to lift emergency was not due to the king's kindness and sympathy but was prompted by national and international pressure. The king's move was taken under the pretense of curbing terrorism but the real motives are now public knowledge. Who can forget the utter injustice that has taken place since February First: the arrests of party leaders, capture of media offices by army personnel, formation of the royal commission to assassinate the characters of political leaders and the attempt to curb the voices raised against the royal proclamation. Even after democracy was restored in the country, former panchays and mandales did not stop protesting the multiparty system, steering the 'bring the king and save the nation' campaign.

Now, post-February First, state terror has taken an even more dangerous form, making way for absolutism which is against the spirit of the nation's constitution, law and acts. The 1990 constitution had never given much importance to what the king said but now that the country is being run as per his orders, his move has so far benefited neither the country nor its citizens. The only ones who it benefited are the incapable people appointed as ministers including Tulsi Giri, who has spent most of his life outside his homeland. Often it is heard that Maoist terror was reduced after February First. This is not true, and propaganda spread by state run media. Under the chairmanship of the king, the council of ministers has been discarding the constitution and rule of law by appointing pro-palace individuals to work in the districts, zones and regions. These are the same people who were irresponsible and lacked accountability towards the citizens during the Panchayat era. The gagging of the press, restriction of movement within the country and barring of respected Nepali intellectuals from travelling abroad to attend seminars are examples of authoritarianism. Besides being hard on democratic groups, we haven't moved closer to peace and democracy. How long will our country be run this way?