Tuesday, April 25 2006 14:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's Maoist rebels today (Apr 25, 2006) rejected the king's offer to reinstate parliament as a ploy to save his 'autocratic monarchy and said they planned blockades of the capital and major centres.

Maoist leader Prachanda urged people to continue their weeks of demonstrations and warned of violence against anyone who tried to repress the protesters.

"It's a new ploy to break Nepali people and save his autocratic monarchy," said Maoist leader Prachanda in a statement.

The Maoists drew up a 12-point agreement late last year with the seven opposition parties sidelined by King Gyanendra when he seized power in February 2005.

But the alliance was split after political parties welcomed the offer by the king to re-open parliament on Friday and place power back in the hands of the opposition.

The Maoists said the 'so-called king's address' had failed to address their key demand for a republic and elections to a constituent assembly that could water down the monarch's sweeping powers during national emergencies.

"We want to make it clear for the seven-party alliance, those parties who have welcomed and supported the king's address have broken the 12-point understanding and have breached the aspirations of the Nepali people," said Prachanda.