Maoist chairman Prachanda Saturday warned of nationwide agitation if the government did not come up with a promise for management of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cantonments by this evening.

Maoist chairman Prachanda (File Photo)

Maoist chairman Prachanda (File Photo)
Speaking at news conference in Pokhara, Prachanda claimed that the government had failed to implement past agreements with his party regarding the upkeep of PLA members and management of cantonments. Nationwide agitation will start from Sunday if no word comes from the government side by the evening, he announced.

Saying that he had already forwarded his ultimatum to the Prime Minister, Prachanda accused the government and the UNMIN of indifference towards his offer to involve the PLA men in development works.

He said the PLA members would not, however, leave their camps during the agitation.

The Maoist strongman also reiterated his party’s stance that the interim parliament should declare republic. “The parliament does have authority to announce republic,” reports quoted him as saying. “The eight-party unity still exists because the Prime Minister has not ruled out republic.”

Prachanda said the constituent assembly polls would not be possible as long as monarchy remained intact. He said his party had proposed to declare republic considering the possible obstacles from the palace in the CA polls.

He also said the Terai problems needed both dialogue and ‘arms’ for a solution and claimed that the Maoist party would make matters normal in Terai if it were formally asked to.

The Maoist chairman is in Kaski district for the last five days. He visited several places around the district and met with local party leaders under tight security provided by the PLA.