Nepal's Maoists on Sunday began the third phase of their agitation, leading to a three-day general strike from December 20, in a bid to dislodge the government even as it ended its blockade of the parliament to allow the passage of the crucial budget.

The former rebels, after a key meeting of the Unified CPN (Maoist), decided to allow the parliament to function for three days so as to facilitate the passage of the 2009/10 budget.

"Keeping in view our responsibility towards the general public we have decided to let the government pass the budget, though the government showed their apathy for our demands," said Maoist chairman Prachanda.

The Maoists announced yesterday a month-long agitation programme, including a three-day general strike from December 20 to 22, under their third phase of agitation to dislodge the coalition in a dispute over "civilian supremacy".

The political parties are deadlocked over the Maoists' demand to discuss the President's "unconstitutional move" in Parliament.

The Maoists' two pronged policy to announce agitation on one hand and to end Parliamentary deadlock is seen as a "strategy to capture power by hook or by crook".

The Maoists' announcement of agitation while keeping open the door for dialogue shows their "confused mentality" and reveals their "opportunistic policy", said political analyst Pralhad Rijal.