The country is facing a grave crisis unprecedented in its history-one that we can and that we must avert. If wisdom and reason can be made to prevail among all the major political forces and if the best interests of the nation and the aspirations of the Nepali people for peace and democracy are given precedence then we are still in time to salvage our beloved country. This is not the time to apportion blame or to settle old scores. This is the time for contemplation and reconciliation. I strongly urge His Majesty the King to take initiatives for a dialogue with the parliamentary political parties. I urge the king:

. To issue a Royal Proclamation that immediately ends the direct rule assumed on 1 February 2005
. To unconditionally release all of those who have been detained unlawfully and undemocratically: leaders of political parties and their supporters, human rights activists, journalists, students and others.
. To withdraw curfews imposed in the Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country.
. To cancel elections to the local bodies with immediate effect, and
. To invite the parliamentary parties for a dialogue and to form a democratic government. And that government must have full powers to negotiate on behalf of the Nepali people to settle the Maoist conflict and ultimately hold elections for the parliament.

I am proud to be a founding member of the Nepali Congress Party, the party that successfully led two revolutions, the first against the Rana oligarchy in 1951 and the second against the king's autocratic panchayat system in 1990. But at this crossroad I am profoundly saddened and deeply hurt by the split within the party. I appeal to both the factions to reconcile. I urge my friends to set aside their grievances, put aside personal ego and ambitions and work collectively and without delay towards uniting the party. A democratic and united Nepali Congress Party can be an untenable instrument of permanent peace and stable democracy that is inclusive and egalitarian. Let democracy and peace prevail as we take our beloved country into the 21st century and let us allow the people freedom to develop in their own way.