Maoists seek to form new government

Kathmandu - Nepal's former Maoist rebels say they intend to form a new government despite the collapse of their coalition barely a month ago, media reports said Wednesday. The Maoist made their intentions public at the start of their politburo meeting in Kathmandu. The meeting was the first since the Maoist led coalition government collapsed in early May over a power struggle with President Ram Baran Yadav over the sacking of army chief Rupmangat Katuwal. Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, said the current government led by the moderate Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist Leninist had no constitutional status, Kathmandu Post newspaper. 'Only a Maoist-led government can take the peace process to a conclusion and draft a new constitution that the people want,' Prachanda said. 'The current government has no constitutional status and is a puppet of expansionist and imperial forces.' Prachanda also vowed to continue 'peaceful struggle' in the parliament and on the streets to safeguard national sovereignty and civilian supremacy, the newspaper said. The Maoist-led government collapsed after the president vetoed a decision to sack Katuwal and reinstated him as army chief. The Maoists described the president's action as a step against 'civilian supremacy' and have obstructed parliament and imposed strikes across the country. On Monday, a Maoist strike in Kathmandu and western Nepal brought public and private transport to a standstill. Political differences within a new coalition has also prevented the expansion of the cabinet and distribution of portfolios, leading to a paralyzed government. The dispute has already impacted the integration of former Maoist combatants into security forces and drafting of a new constitution, two key points of the peace process singed in November 2006 that ended a decade of communist insurgency.