A Maoist surge in Himalayan Kingdom

Heading towards a landslide victory in the historic Nepal polls and poised to form the next government, the Maoists have crossed the 100-mark by winning 110 seats out of the 200 results declared (according to reports that last came in).

On the fourth day of counting for the 240 directly elected seats, the former rebels continued to out perform their rivals in most of the remaining constituencies. The Nepali Congress, which dominated the political scene in the Himalayan nation for decades, was lagging behind with only 33 seats and CPN-UML came third with 29 seats.

Poll analysts say it will be difficult for the Maoists to get clear cut majority in the 601-seat assembly in which 575 are elected and 26 are nominated by the new Councils of Ministers.

The CPN-Maoist is, however, emerging as the single largest party with the mandate to lead the next government.

Among the Terai parties, who are seeking greater autonomy for the region dominated by ethnic Indians, Madhesi People's Rights Forum has got 18, Terai Madhes Democratic Party 5, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party 2, Sadbhavana Party 2 and Janamorcha Nepal and Independent one each.

So even if Maoists get 121 seats out of 240, which is more than 50 per cent, they still need 168 seats out of the 335 seats under proportionate voting system to get clear majority.