Maoists paint Nepal red

The writing seems to be on the wall for Nepal's King Gyanendra following the unexpected success of the Maoists in the parliamentary elections.

Formerly a rag-tag bunch of individuals who entertained impossible dreams and took on the country's armed forces with primitive weapons - a doctrine which led to them being classified as a terrorist organisation by the US - the Maoists are close to ensuring that the world's last Hindu kingdom converts to being a republic and the king is reduced to being a commoner. Ironically, in a deviation from their ideology, the Maoists, toeing the line of their leader Prachanda, state that democracy is their only objective. While this policy is a contradiction in terms, it is reaping dividends. Results show that the people of Nepal have placed their faith in them. This trust must be conserved at all costs as the country now readies for a complete break with tradition.