Prachanda in London, stir in Kathmandu

Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will be accompanied by his wife Sita and son Prakash during his trip, his aide Om Sharma said. This will be Prachanda's first tour abroad since the government led by him collapsed in May.

The former rebel leader is visiting the UK at a time when his party has launched an agitation with the aim to dislodging the present government and forming a Maoist-led national consensus government in the country.

He is scheduled to meet Nepalese community people and workers during his stay in London, party sources said.

The Maoists have threatened a "people's movement" if the government does not concede their demand for upholding "civilian supremacy".

They have unveiled a month-long protest programme, which includes blocking Parliament session, holding protest rallies and boycotting functions attended by President, Prime Minister and other ministers. The party has said its main aim is to reinstall a Maoist-led dispensation in Nepal.

The Maoist chief had resigned as premier in May after President Ram Baran Yadav blocked his move to sack army chief Gen Rukmangad Katawal. Since then, Maoists had been relentless in demanding Katawal's removal and in asking the government to uphold "civilian supremacy".