With all efforts to reach a consensus to resolve the prevailing political deadlock almost sure to fail, the Maoists on Tuesday unveiled a two-week-long protest program beginning from 2 to 15 November to pressurise the government.

Baburam Bhattarai, coordinator of the United National People's Movement Struggle Committee, said that if an agreement is not reached by 2 November, the Maoists will launch nationwide protests. The tentative program schedule includes torch rallies, picketing local government bodies as well as Singh Darbar and non-cooperation with the government.

According to the plan, the Maoists will declare autonomous republican states on 9 November, installing signboards in their respective regions. Bhattarai said this will be a symbolic protest to foil the conspiracy against federalism. They will block the entry and exit points of the Kathmandu Valley, including the airport on 10 November. "The protest will be peaceful. We don't want any trouble to the public," he said.

The announcement of the protest program has come before a 10-day ultimatum the Maoists had issued earlier to the government to address their demands, which expires on 2 November. The Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has already asked his party workers to be ready for a nationwide stir to pull down the 'puppet' government.

Asked if the Maoists want to regain power by exerting pressure from outside, Bhattarai said they want to establish civilian supremacy first and only the Maoists can form a national government, which is necessary to conclude the peace process.

Delhi visits of political leaders, one after another, also suggest the groundwork is being laid for a new power equation. Upendra Yadav of MJF, Surya Bahadur Thapa of RJP, Pashupati Sumsher Rana of RPP and Sher Bahadur Deuba of NC have already been to Delhi. UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal is scheduled to leave on 3 November. The Maoists' sources say the Maoist supremo Dahal will be the next after Khanal.

The political impasse will drag on until their visits are concluded, no matter how many rounds of talks are held. A three party meeting is scheduled on Wednesday.