New Delhi, March 11 -- The latest turn of events in Nepal carries significant old and new pointers. One: like in Pakistan where last month's election yielded a 'hung' House, parties coming second and third in the race formed the new government. As Imran Khan's loyalists in Pakistan forced into opposition, the Nepali Congress which scored the highest numbers in last year's election is out of power, yielding it to numbers two and three. Indeed, number two is backing number three, the party of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

Two: the numbers game repeats itself, with no principles involved. The Nepali people have only transited from monarchy to squabbling politicians playing the game of musical chairs. Nepali Congress chief D...