Thursday, May 26 2005 08:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai yesterday (May 25, 2005) alleged that the Nepalese Army has tried to "split" the maoist party and "weaken anti-monarchy movement" by releasing the purported audiotape of its chairman Prachanda.

To term him as "pro-Indian" by the audiotape was totally "false, baseless and efforts to defame" him, Bhattarai said in a statement e-mailed to various newspapers in Kathmandu.

He also denied the statement in the tape that Indian authorities have put condition of his re-appointment in the party's top post as pre-condition to free senior maoist leaders Mohan Vaidya and C P Gajurel, now in Indian custody.

Last week the Nepalese Army in a press conference played Prachanda's purported audio tape, in which the rebel leader claims he was invited by Indian authorities for talks and India will release two top maoist leaders if action against Bhattarai is withdrawn.

"Efforts are on to split the maoist party and to weaken democratic movement at a time when anti-monarchy and democratic republican movement is gearing up," Bhattarai said.

Bhattarai, however, admitted that there are some differences in the party but argued that such differences should be sorted out through party's own mechanism, not by the use of force. He called upon all the political parties to launch a joint movement to establish a democratic republican system.

"If anybody regards my action in favour of a democratic republican system as my inclination towards India then he proves his pro-monarchist attitude," Bhattarai said.

Reacting to the release of the tape, Indian Embassy in Kathmandu had said the allegations made in the tape were "completely false, baseless and far-fetched."

"The Government of India is not aware of this tape or of its provenance and authenticity since the Nepalese authorities have not shared it with us," the Embassy said.