How long back the economic development of this poor country has been pushed by this load shedding is difficult to assess at the moment. Prime minister Prachanda and his party colleagues have been boasting of turning our country into a “New Nepal.” If the failures of the last five months are any indications, Nepal would indeed enter into a new era, not that of a progress but that of a regress. It would not be fair to put the whole blame on the Maoist lead coalition government. The former governments also must share the blame and the biggest culprit would be the CPN (UML). Had it not sabotaged the Arun III project some one and a half decade ago, the country would not only have avoided this terrible situation but even the poor millions would be living a better life today. Had the Maoist led government some mature administrative experiences and imaginative planners, five months could have been ample times to implement plans to mitigate the misery. But the Maoist leaders became busy enjoying the luxury and flush of power and could not foresee the looming calamity. As usual like other Nepali politicians, they too could not see beyond personal and partisan interests. Boasting does not cost a cent. Implementing the boasts into reality needs integrity and sacrifice, values conspicuously absent in Nepali politicians. The big shame with the first historical coalition government under the Maoist leadership in the first Republic, has been the indecent haste the Maoists seem to be obsessed with to impose their ideologically unfit totalitarian system on the country. This only proves their naiveté. Aren’t they aware of the real politicks of the country? Have they also forgotten so soon how they have arrived where they are now? They surely are not that ignorant as not to know how politics is played in Nepal and how the politicians are expected to behave. If they are not well versed in modern history of Nepal, they should start learning it in real earnest. The Maoist leaders must also be aware that even the democratically elected government of B.P. Koirala with two third majority had failed to survive a full term. As such, they must stop dreaming and be prepared to face any eventuality. Their vociferous protestations that no power on earth can dislodge them are clear signs of their increasing nervousness. They must come down to earth and find what their country needs urgently. They have burnt their fingers a few times already. Unnecessary interference in sensitive issues might even singe their beard, if they have one. And Hindu religion and the Nepali Army are two most sensitive issues. The six hundred and one M.Ps, the families, friends and cadres of the Maoist leaders are not the only people in Nepal. There are twenty five million poor Nepalis and they not only deserve but command first priority. And their urgent needs can, in no way, be overlooked or sidelined. No politician will ever succeed or even survive, if he fails to realize this simple truth.