Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai has hurled another broadside at the monarchy just as analysts were saying the rebels were softening their approach. In what appears to be an effort to drive another wedge between the political parties and the king, and exploit the current strained relations between them, Bhattarai calls for unity among "democratic forces" to build on the gains of the 1990 People's Movement. Bhattarai argues that significant changes were taking place at the geopolitical level that affected the strategic balance of power in Nepal. He directs the leaders of the political parties not to be spellbound by the monarchy. "We never gave up our program for a republican state," said the architect-turned-revolutionary. "In fact, the constituent assembly is not an alternative to a republic, but only a methodology to institutionalise that republic." He says next week's three-day bandh marks the launch of a joint struggle to this end. The Maoists have been blowing hot and cold lately, and analysts say this latest statement shows that the rebels are in no mood for compromise.