“I don’t blame the whole of India, but a section of Indian politics and the Hindu elements do not want to see elections being held in Nepal and the country turning into a republic,” Prachanda told journalists on conclusion of his party’s crucial central committee meeting.

Terming allegations that the Maoists did not want election as “baseless”, he said “we are fully committed for the April polls”.

“The CPN-Maoist is wholeheartedly committed to participating in the elections, so there is no need to be suspicious about its role on the election,” he said on Friday.

The former guerrilla chief invited Madhesi groups, who have launched a violent stir in Terai, to the dialogue table. However, he said that no talks can take place with the “separatist forces” in Terai. “The separatist forces of Terai must be exposed,” he said and claimed that the majority of Madhesi people were in favour of holding Constituent Assembly polls that would decide the future political system.

The government has already fulfilled the major demands of Terai — including federal system, autonomy and more representation and the rest will be fulfilled through the polls — Prachanda said.

Prachanda also accused “feudals and the pro-palace forces” of trying to derail the polls to stop the country from turning into a federal democratic republic. But at the same time, he persisted with his latest tactic of wooing King’s loyalists.

Prachanda said his party can forge alliance with the people close to the King “if they want to find a role in the changed context”.

He also admitted that he had met Ramesh Nath Pandey, who was the Information Minister during the direct rule of King Gyanendra two years ago.

The former royalists “are nationalists and they should be assured of a place in the new democratic Nepal”, Prachanda said, adding he was having a series of meetings with them.

“It would be no good if we give emphasis to democracy only and do not care about national interest,” he said.