South Asia Monitor: Elections in Nepal: Maoists Offer an Uncharted Course - May 02, 2008

May 2, 2008

The Maoist victory in Nepal's April 10 elections came as a shock to many observers in Nepal, India, and the United States. They will now head a minority government tasked with both writing the new constitution and running the country. India will be deeply concerned about the possible export of terrorism and insurrection from Nepal, and the United States faces the unpleasant prospect of a group it still designates as a terrorist organization presiding over an ill-governed country between India and China. The future of Nepal and its region depends on whether the Maoists decide to adopt democratic behavior, or whether the uncertainty of electoral politics leads them back to extremism.