The Nepali Congress has been working for multiparty democracy, constitutional monarchy, and parliamentary system of governance, independent judiciary and human rights as the fundamental rights of the general citizens in the country. It has therefore been arguing that the Nepali people who became sovereign following the popular movement in 1990 should not compromise on these values. From the very day the Nepali Congress won a majority in the parliamentary elections, conspiracies have been hatched against the government. The main opposition CPN-UML also started an agitation, vowing to overthrow the government within 29 days. Instead of helping strengthen democracy and addressing key issues confronting the nation on the basis of broad understanding among all political forces in the country, the CPN-UML was helping to weaken democracy in the name of opposing the Nepali Congress government. Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has always emphasised that there have been grand designs to weaken democracy. It is being argued that the present crisis is the result of the 12 years of multi-party democracy. This is absolutely rubbish. The Congress became isolated during all these years. Yet all major reforms were introduced by the Congress government which was in power most of this period. Looking back, one feels proud on the bold reforms the party introduced in such areas as education, health and communication. The seven-year-old Maoist insurgency and the violent activities perpetrated in the name of the Maoist revolution indeed affected many aspects of our life, creating a difficult situation in the country. The Congress, fully aware of its historic responsibility, always emphasised that dialogue was the best means to resolve the Maoist problem within the framework of the 1990 Constitution. The Broader National Democratic Alliance aimed to resolve the national crises. This is why Koirala announced at a mass meeting at Tundikhel in May 2002 that the Maoists should start dialogue with the political parties represented in Parliament. In reply, the Maoists addressed a letter to all political parties stating that they were ready for it. When this development was taking shape, Parliament was abruptly dissolved. It is for this reason that the Congress has been saying that the dissolution of Parliament was a conspiracy to weaken democracy and the 1990 Constitution. The Congress firmly believes that solution of the present political crisis is tied up with the existence of Parliament. Therefore, its restoration, which is constitutionally also possible, has become a political necessity today. The Congress believes that the crisis in Nepal started from the day when the Lower House was dissolved. At the time when the security situation in the country was not satisfactory and the government had to postpone even the local election, dissolving the House of Representatives was untimely and unwise done with ill-intention. The parties could not believe that the polls will be held in a peaceful and impartial manner. For this reason, the Congress central working committee decided that restoration of Parliament is necessary in view of the fact that holding of general elections were not possible under the present circumstances. Constitutionally, the October 4 royal step is in violation of the 1990 Constitution. All political parties were opposed to the royal step and were going to announce the struggle against the step. Then out of the blue came the announcement for a ceasefire between government and the Maoists. The Congress considers the “ceasefire” as a positive development. However, we are looking at it with extreme caution. We hope that the dialogue between the two sides should be transparent, successful and result-oriented. The dialogue should further enhance the sovereign rights of the people, safeguarding the achievements of the 1990 popular movement. As the Maoists have already renounced their demand for a republic, Parliament is the only constitutional way of fulfilling all their demands. We also believe that the present Constitution is capable of fulfilling all Maoist demands. The restoration of Parliament will immediately and fully activate the Constitution, thereby establishing a structure for the progressive political and constitutional reforms to the satisfaction of all of us. The ceasefire has made restoration of the House even more urgent. When two sides enter into an agreement, it has to be endorsed to give them a constitutional status. There being no constitutional body in the country, any such agreement is fraught with high risks. After addressing the rebels’ demands, the House can be dissolved, paving the way for polls. If the dialogue is the strategy for both the parties which believe there will be no meeting of minds, the restoration of Parliament may be irrelevant. If the State is ready to go for the constituent assembly or referendum, the Constitution does not permit this. The Nepalis don’t want the revival of absolute monarchy. All these provisions have to be made by amending the Constitution, which can only be done by Parliament. If the Maoists are ready to settle for the interim government and round-table conference, restoration of Parliament is necessary. If the Maoists are ready to change some articles after the elections, the same thing may be continued. The Nepali Congress wants every decision between government and the Maoists to be endorsed by Parliament. Since there is no constitutional institution to endorse the decision, what better would be than restore the dissolved Parliament? If needed, the Nepali Congress is ready to discuss this issue. Such a decision endorsed by Parliament will be acceptable to all major political forces in the country. Such an approach will be a victory for all of us, as it is closely associated with the interest of the entire nation. This approach, aimed at resolving the present crisis once and for all, is the best in the judgement of the Nepali Congress.