It’s 4h30 pm and we can still hear cries of celebration here and there. As we left for our weekly Saturday breakfast, we were stopped mid-way as a large gathering of Maoists were celebrating their potential victory. The red flags, the red powder smeared on all passerbyers, and the cheers were all quite disconcerting for me.
At this point in time, it seems the Maoists are on their way to a plurality, if not a majority. Final results nationwide will take weeks… but the merriment and discontent of many have begun.
Our breakfast plans had to shift as crossing a mob is not quite our idea of a relaxing and safe Saturday… As I sipped my coffee, a flood of emotions took me by surprise. I’m scared… I don’t know how to reconcile the fact that only four years ago I lived under curfews, bombs, and general unrest because of the Maoists – deemed a terrorist group by many… and now they may be the party in power. How can one explain that the Maoist have had a landslide victory in Dang when they have caused so much havoc? Children went missing, forced conscription, deaths… I’m bewildered. How will a new group who only weeks ago were making bizarrely optimistic projections in the event of victory and thinly veiled threats should they lose run a whole nation? It will all remain to be seen…
One thing is sure – the king is toast.
At this point in time, it seems the Maoists are on their way to a plurality, if not a majority. Final results nationwide will take weeks… but the merriment and discontent of many have begun.
Our breakfast plans had to shift as crossing a mob is not quite our idea of a relaxing and safe Saturday… As I sipped my coffee, a flood of emotions took me by surprise. I’m scared… I don’t know how to reconcile the fact that only four years ago I lived under curfews, bombs, and general unrest because of the Maoists – deemed a terrorist group by many… and now they may be the party in power. How can one explain that the Maoist have had a landslide victory in Dang when they have caused so much havoc? Children went missing, forced conscription, deaths… I’m bewildered. How will a new group who only weeks ago were making bizarrely optimistic projections in the event of victory and thinly veiled threats should they lose run a whole nation? It will all remain to be seen…
One thing is sure – the king is toast.
p.s. Photo borrowed from Reuters - we didn't get that close!
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