About the Book "The arms of the Maoists, the over-ambition of the king, and the strategic politics of weapons-snatching power with the help of an army were lethal to democracy, country and the people. At whatever cost, it was vital to separate the country, people and democracy from the politics of guns. So I resolved that the Maoist problem could only be addressed through dialogue. We would need to hold dialogue with them and bring them peacefully into the political mainstream. I was convinced of the need to defend democracy from the guns of both the Maoists and the king... I wish that there should be no need for future generations to fight for democracy like I have had to.. This is the decisive struggle of my life. The people are eager to see peace and democracy established in the country. I will be happy when this becomes a reality."

About the Author The introduction to Simple Convictions is written by Kanak Mani Dixit, an editor and reporter who was active in the fight against 'royal regression' and maintained a public position against Maoists violence. He says, "In the period covered by the pronouncements of Girija Prasad Koirala contained in this volume, he evolved as a national figure, beyond being leader of the Nepali Congress party. Between October 2002 and December 2006, Koirala became indispensable to the people in the fight for peace and democracy. Through his dogged insistence on the restoration of the Third Parliament he helped quash Gyanendra's dictatorial designs, and simultaneously legitimised the evolution of the CPN (Maoist) towards the political mainstream. These are reasons to appreciate Girija Prasad Koirala at the beginning of 2007. As for the rest of his legacy. let history be the judge."

Introduction Simple Convictions is a record of Girija Prasad Koirala's thoughts between the takeover by King Gyanendra in October 2002 and the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord in November 2006. These were tumultuous times in the annals of modern Nepali politics, and they provided the ageing Koirala, 85 by the time of the CPA, with the opportunity to fight the finest fight of a politician: to bring down an autocracy and pull a violent insurgency into the arena of open politics. Acknowledged the leader of the People's Movement of April 2006, Koirala succeeded in what he terms repeatedly in these pages as "the last struggle of my life".

For having served the longest as prime minister in the period of democracy after the first People's Movement of 1990, Koirala made the most mistakes as well as the largest number of enemies. Amidst the polarisation that marked the polity's first decade of open political competition, Koirala played favorites and consolidated his position, much to the chagrin of his peers. He maintained loyalists rather than advisors, and as a player contributed to the confusion and lack of delivery of competitive politics, which allowed the Maoist rebellion to spread and the king in his palace to develop aspirations. As three time prime minister in the dozen years of democracy till October 2002, he shares in the blame of the failure of government delivery and politicization of the administration.

**Contents and Sample Pages**