Nepal, March 14 -- Did the government sense that in absence of credible and strong opposition in Madhesi parties there is growing traction for a radical and secessionist politics?

There's a popular folklore that the valley's weather becomes warmer after Shivaratri. The folks from down south who come on pilgrimage to Pashupatinath carry along Kathmandu's cold upon their return. The tale is as much racist, but the political climate has certainly become hot after the agreement between the government and Alliance for Independent Madhes. A day after his release was ordered on March 7 by the Supreme Court, AIM coordinator C K Raut, who was under arrest for the last five months, and government's Minister for Home Affairs inked an 11-point agree...