At a time when the madhes problem shows signs of getting more complicated, the key question facing the new government is how the Maoists will deal with it. So far, they have not been able to counter the negative publicity and propaganda against them in the tarai. They haven't even been able to use the fallout of the Gaur massacre. A party that has joined the mainstream to transform Nepali society must begin by making another damage control tour of the plains.

Those who don't understand history are obliterated by it. The Maoists understood history and joined the mainstream. That is why they not only still exist, but also form a powerful part of the new government.

But so far, the government's commitment to fulfilling the mandate of last year's People Power movement is insufficient. Several areas of the tarai are still unstable. Without bringing these areas also back to normalcy the constituent assembly election will be a farce.