A re-energised Baburam Bhattarai has joined the race but the old horse Prachanda has not hung up the boots. Prachanda would rather back Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ than clear the way for Bhattarai
 
The veteran Sher Bahadur Deuba has jumped in the rings but Ram Chandra Poudel has not thrown in the towels. As the two fight it out Kul Bahadur Gurung is being projected as a compromise.
 
A resurgent Jhalnath Khanal believes he has reached the penalty box but the Madhav Kumar Nepal-K.P.Oli combine has not left the guard.
 
After sixteen failed rounds over the past six months the fight for the prime minister’s chair is on – yet again.
 
President Ram Baran Yadav has given a January 21 deadline to the parliament to find a consensus prime minister.
 
The consensus remains a mirage. So the deadline is almost certain to expire without a breakthrough.
The proposed amendments in the election regulations will however in all likelihood prevent the repeat of the inconclusive elections.


A majority government will sooner than later be put in place to succeed the caretaker government. Who will head it is not clear yet given the unmanageable squabbles within all parties – big and the small alike.


Deep divisions in the parties are too deep to allow a smooth sail for any new government.
The result: a clear winner is sure to be elusive as ever. A winner who can steer the peace process and the constitution-making to its “logical conclusion”


This will set the stage for a renewed debate for a non-party figure as a remedy to the crisis besetting the country in a critical political transition. 
 
The result: a clear winner is sure to be elusive as ever. A winner who can steer the peace process and the constitution-making to its “logical conclusion”


This will set the stage for a renewed debate for a non-party figure as a remedy to the crisis besetting the country in a critical political transition. 
 
Prominent “civil society” leaders are already in the race. Behind the curtains, of course. 


Like the political leaders, they have been knocking the doors of the influential power centres abroad to seek the all-important blessings.


The curtains could well be up. Sooner rather than later.