Biggest news is the (second?) split in the RPP. Powers that be at the Durbar have discerned that the royalists too need a popular mass party, as to counter the massive rallies of the 7 (moral) dwarves. Like the one 2 days ago in Janakpur, where all 7 honchos surveyed SERIOUS crowd, congratulating each other. MKN goes even so far as to predict the END OF THE MONARCHY IN 4 WEEKS!!! Well, the mental capacity of this pygmy in mind, it's hard to give any credence to his claim.
Back to the RPP-split: As I already wrote the other day (05-12-19), my favorite plitician, Kamal THAPA, currently the Home (Police and Admin) Minister, was elected president of the RPP, and Pash.Sumsher RANA was sacked - "expelled". Yersterday PSR went to Patan Court, and tried to annul the decision and get "his" party's symbols protected. But he's whistling in the dark, and his "independent" position (that is "independent" of anybody - HM King, the 7 dwarves, his co-leaders in RPP, but not independent of India - from where his wife hails, and where he is frequent visitor!) is gone. This is right how it should be in Civil Wars: from the chaos of multiple players, through attrition, treachery and the last vestigies of common sense, there at last emerge TWO PLAYERS, and everybody in the country will have to choose one or the other - Red or Blue!
On the operative side, the War is grinding on, but somehow with diminished violence (so far!) - there was an attack on Nepalganj Airport, Wednesday ditto on the Bardiya town Dhungaddi in the Far West (600 km W from KTM). So far no or minimal casualties. It seems the RNA air wing is earning it's pay - it's no more so easy to muster 1,000 - 1,500 fighters in one place for their hallmark MASS ATTACKS. The RNA helos are flying above them, trying to figure out where the bands of 200 or so fighters will converge and mass for the next attack. It's not easy in the barren hills of Rolpa, no cloud cover.
UPDATE: There is battle raging in Tanahun:
Ten Maoists killed in Tanahun clashes: MoD
At least ten Maoist insurgents were killed in two separate encounters with the security forces in the western district of Tanahun on Thursday.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the rebels were killed in clashes at Chitre and Aambote areas.
No casualties on the security side were reported. The incident and the casualties are yet to be confirmed independently.
Two rifles, socket bombs, logistics and Maoist documents were recovered from the clash scenes, the statement added. nepalnews.com mk Jan 12 05
But everybody is tense, waiting - Prachanda is, whatever you might sink of this deluded man, is a man of his word, so to speak - so the attacks in the Valley are expected. And dreaded none the same.
Faster, Your Majesty, faster!
("Borrowed" from Michael Ledeen)
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