BBC Nepali Service: What is your party's role in the ongoing movement?
Mahara: This is a joint program based on an understanding. This is not just our program neither is it only of the parties. All steps are being taken on the basis of the understanding between the two sides.

Does that mean there is cooperation between the two sides?
After the 12-point understanding between us and the parties, the two sides have been working together to end monarchy and create the people's republic.

That means what the government says is true-it is not a peaceful movement of the parties alone but also involves your violence.
The two streams have set the end of monarchy as their goal. Only proper coordination and understanding between the two sides can accomplish that and that is the essence of the 12-point understanding. It's about amalgamating the peaceful political stream and the political stream of the 10-year people's war.

The government claims you have infiltrated the parties' agitation.
The understanding between us and the parties is to help their movement in the urban areas. To facilitate the Kathmandu Valley program of the parties, we have even suspended military offensives in the valley. We have focused our armed action outside Kathmandu and in other areas. Even if we will not be present with our arms in the urban movement, we will be there unarmed.

But why are the parties not saying that same thing? Why have they not been open about your involvement in the movement?
We too are surprised that the parties have not been able to speak confidently about the alliance and our agreement. We wish to have a joint program, a combined front and a common slogan to fight monarchy.

But how can a struggle that is peaceful and one that is violent be reconciled?
Our violence is for peace. It is aimed at ending the monarchy and towards that goal, violence is necessary. We don't believe that the monarchy will come to an end just via a peaceful movement.

Do you need the help of the parties because you have been unsuccessful in the last 10 years?
The parties too need us. We embarked on our campaign after the parties failed to end the monarchy and change the traditional social set-up.

What if the king ends his direct rule and the parties are satisfied with that?
This movement is heading toward a republican goal. We see clearly that the people are getting energised by the slogan demanding the end of monarchy. If there is a 1990-type compromise during the movement, it would be disastrous. Today's Nepali people will not accept that.

BBC Nepali Service: Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara has just said this movement is being conducted by the rebels and the parties jointly. What do you say?
GP Koirala: I don't know what Mahara had to say. I speak for myself, the Nepali Congress and the seven-party alliance. This movement is of the seven parties and is being conducted by us in a peaceful manner. It will move ahead peacefully and we don't really care what the Maoists say about it.

Are you saying the Maoists are not at all involved in this movement?
Yes that is what I mean-there is no involvement of the Maoists. We (the parties and Maoists) will be working together in the future but there is no such alliance now in place.

The Maoists have announced additional protest programs including highway blockades. What impact will this have on the parties' movement?
The Maoists held such programs in the past and we continued our protests even then. Now, too, we will carry on our movement. We are responsible for our own movement.

Mahara said you have not been open about the 12-point pact. What have you been hiding?
There has been no agreement between us and the Maoists, it is only an understanding. There is a big difference. My basic principles are for an end to autocratic rule, peace, full-fledged democracy and an independent, sovereign and prosperous Nepal. Under these principles we held talks with the Maoists on the 12-point understanding and also talks with the international community.

The Maoists have been encouraging your protesters to announce what they call 'free areas'. What is the goal of this movement: a people's republic or reinstatement of parliament?
The seven parties' agenda right from the beginning was to reinstate parliament and form an all-party, constitutional government. That government will hold talks with the Maoists and then move toward a constituent assembly.

What will be the king's role?
This is something the king will have to decide for himself. If he fails to do so, I can only say this much: God save the king.

If the king invites you for dialogue, will you go?
I will not rush as soon as the king summons me. It is the king who will have to retreat to his old position, only then is dialogue possible. Otherwise, I am not going to go to him like a dog with its tail between its legs.