Things are headed for confrontation if he doesn't respond to what people are demanding. Then we would get into a phase of bloodshed and more repression.

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

Morally and constitutionally, the king is getting weaker.

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.

That will most certainly disrupt the November polls and will also weaken state institutions, which the Maoists want.