Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has challenged the hardliner Mohan Baidya faction to return to armed struggle "if they think the people's war is in a defensive stage".

Addressing a training programme organised by Newa State Committee of the party in Kathmandu, Dahal said, "People's war is in a phase of strategic offensive at present, not in the defensive phase," Dahal said, "If Baidyas think it is in defensive phase the most sincere thing to do would be to return to armed war."

Dahal also claimed that the agendas of peace and constitution were part of "strategic offensive" and the party would wage "people's revolt" once it successfully moved through this stage. He, however, said that there was no such ideological difference with Baidya faction because they too had not viewed the current phase of the 'revolution' differently.

Cadres loyal to the Maoist establishment participated in the training session.

Meanwhile, chairman Dahal and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai held a meeting with PLA commanders at Naya Bazaar Monday evening and asked them to be prepared for integration into the Nepal Army.

Both asked the commanders to cooperate with the peace process and integrate with the NA in a friendly way. Quoting the two leaders, PLA chief Nanda Kishor Pun told reporters that there was nothing to be suspicious of the treatment to the combatants when they become part of the NA. nepalnews.com