MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA RUNNING OUT OF TIME: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the Khula Manch on Sunday before delivering a speech in which he lashed out at the political parties for slowing him down.

When the results of Friday's by-elections in six constituencies come out next week, they will offer an indication of the support base for the Maoists, who themselves admit that after eight months in power they haven't been able show tangible progress.

The current session of parliament has been disrupted for two weeks in a row after the UML, partners with the Maoists in the coalition, demanded action over the killing of its supporter in Butwal last month. Time is also running out on integrating the armies before UNMIN's mandate expires in June, and in writing the new constitution by April next year.

The run-up to the by-elections have been marred by violence with even a gun battle breaking out between supporters of the Maoists and a break-away faction led by Matrika Yadav in Biratnagar on Thursday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal appears to be increasingly frustrated with the delays and has been trying to use his deft negotiating skills to try to convince the leaders of the UML and NC to smooth things along. Analysts say that a lot is riding on the outcome of the by-elections, and the results will determine whether or not the coalition remains intact, and if the NC will join the government.

The prime minister has been barely able to hide his frustration. A day after returning from a week-long visit to Norway and Finland during which he assured leaders there that he was serious about protecting democracy and the free press, he lashed out publicly using abusive language at his colleagues in the NC and UML. The next day, he turned his aim at the media, accusing publishers of being "smugglers" and under the control of "feudalists, capitalists and reactionary forces".

The Nepal Media Society, Television Broadcasters Nepal, Community Radio Broadcasters Association, Broadcasting Association of Nepal and Kathmandu Valley Broadcasting Association deplored the prime minister's remarks, calling them " uncalled for and irresponsible".