Missing deadlines is nothing new for political parties in Nepal. On Tuesday they missed another - a self-imposed one - to end the ongoing political deadlock in the country.

Major political parties had agreed to end the constitutional impasse by October 16. But instead of showing urgency to meet the deadline, they continued to bicker over power - specifically on the issue of which party would head the government when polls take place.

To make matters worse, with days left for expiry of the deadline, leaders of most major parties went on tours abroad.