The Maoist party has rejected the government proposal to hold separate talks in order to pass the budget, as the Finance Ministry warns that the country is headed towards a crisis.

Maoist vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai said his party wants the government to address the Maoists' demands in their entirety.

On Friday, the Maoists handed the government an ultimatum to address their demands by 20 November. On Tuesday, Finance Minister Surendra Raj Pandey fired back with his own deadline asking the Maoists to allow the passage of the budget by 22 November.

NC and UML leaders have said they will be forced to find alternative means to pass the budget if the Maoists continue to obstruct parliamentary proceedings.

To which, Baburam Bhattarai replied: "Barking dogs seldom bite."