The Maoists have reacted strongly to the refusal by the army chief Gen Katuwal and the prime minister to integrate the PLA and the NA. Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is also information minister, said this would jeopardise the peace process.

Earlier, Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai accused Koirala of senility and said he had forgotten that integration of the two armies was clearly spelled out in the peace accord.

He added: "Koirala's statement is against the peace accord, this clearly shows who is responsible for lengthening the state of uncertainty." However,the Maoists haven\'t reacted officially to the statements from Koirala and Katuwal. Analysts said they may be working on a compromise of getting ex-guerrillas into the Armed Police Force.

The peace accord and the interim constitution have provisions for the inclusion, reestablishment and security of the PLA. However, in a press meet at Baluwatar on Tuesday, Koirala made it clear that he would not allow the merging of the PLA with the NA.

Meanwhile a previously scheduled meeting of the Maoists' Central Committee at Kirtipur was called off due to previous engagement of the Maoist chairman, Puspha Kamal Dahal and senior leader, Baburam Bhattarai. The meeting was expected to take up Dahal\'s proposal to start a street uprising if the elections are rigged and also discuss the election preparations of the party.

More in Nepali at