It was a missed opportunity. He was a royal but he didn't expect to be king, so he was also a commoner. He could have given a new thrust to the monarchy.

Morally and constitutionally, the king is getting weaker.

The king has only one choice -- accept the reality and postpone the municipal elections as it alone would create a minimum ground for a dialogue with political parties.

People are tired of strikes and disruptions. There is a sense of fatigue.

This is the only factor that raises the hope that the Maoists would extend the ceasefire.

An end to the ceasefire would naturally mean resumption of violence. But there is still some hope that the Maoists will continue with their unilateral ceasefire for some time.