"We are ready to take the initiative to form a new government ourselves or support other parties in this process if the general is fired," Prachanda,

"We are ready to take the initiative to form a new government ourselves or support other parties in this process if the general is fired," Prachanda, who still goes by his nom de guerre meaning "fierce", told reporters.

Prachanda said his group would not pull out of a 2006 peace deal that ended a decade-long civil war and brought the Maoists into the political mainstream

The moderate Communist UML party, a former Maoist ally and now the second biggest opposition group, said efforts were being made to persuade the Maoists to return to the government.

"There is no alternative to a national unity government without the Maoists in it. This is a reality," UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokarel said.

"We'll hold talks with them and try to form the government as soon as possible," he said.

Writing the country's new constitution, a key part of the 2006 peace deal, would also be difficult without the Maoists.

"Without the participation of the Maoists in the government or their strong commitment to the peace process, the writing of the new constitution will not be possible," political analyst Yubaraj Ghimire said.

Source: Reuters India