What is the priority for the Maoists: government, peace process or constitution?
Our policies make it clear, it is our opponents who try to confuse matters. We would not have left the government if it were our priority. It is not our agenda. Democratic norms, peace and constitution are our priorities, meaning the president's unconstitutional move should be corrected and we should move forward. The Maoists' resolution should be discussed in parliament. Political parties should reach a consensus to establish civilian supremacy.

But the ruling parties are saying the Maoists are trying to regain power in the name of civilian supremacy.
They are free to say that. The government is also an agenda. We are not sanyasi, we never said we don't want to be in the government. The government and civilian supremacy are interrelated. Peace and constitution are issues linked with government and civilian supremacy.

Did you know you would have to leave the government for sacking Katawal?
We knew it all. It was expected to happen. The recruitment issue came up before we resigned. Katawal was in constant touch with leaders, ambassadors and journalists. It was a carefully taken step. We were saying the regressive forces were actively trying to make the constitution-writing and peace processes fail. However, their design has not succeeded yet.

Is there any guarantee that the ongoing agitation won't end up benefiting the regressive forces?
The constitution will not be written and the peace process will be derailed if protests are not launched to make the people aware of the need to stand up for their rights. There is danger of militarisation, instead of the integration of the PLA.