Nepal, Dec. 19 -- The chaos, mismanaged voting process, and campaign leaflets littering the streets outside the venue of the UML general convention at Bhrikuti Mandap this week was a fitting metaphor for the state of Nepal's politics 100 days after the September upheaval.

The interim government of Prime Minister Sushila Karki wants to focus exclusively on holding credible elections on 5 March. But with less than three months to go, her attention is being constantly diverted by clamour from youth activists on the one hand, and recalcitrant legacy parties on the other.

Leaders of the UML-NC coalition that was in power on 8 September have not yet said sorry like they meant it - not just for the massacre of young protesters but also for d...