Kathmandu, Oct. 13 -- There is a firestorm brewing when I meet with Manushi Yami Bhattarai at Pulchowk's Mitran da Dhaba. Surrounded by kitschy joke moustaches in a decidedly un-dhaba-like setting, we discuss the unfolding saga of Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who has just been accused of rape by a woman who works for the Parliament Secretariat.

News had just broken the night before about the woman's allegations of rape and Mahara had yet to step down. The story was developing fast and by the time we'd end our conversation, Mahara would've stepped down as Speaker of the House. By the end of the week, there would be a retraction from the woman and then a reaffirmation of her allegations via a formal police complaint. As Dashain holidays began, ...