The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Kathmandu

Mounting tensions between the partners in Nepal's peace deal are posing a serious challenge to its stability two months ahead of polls meant to transform the country into a republic, analysts say. Former rebel Maoists faced heavy criticism this week after their supporters were accused of attacking and wounding 17 people, including a member of parliament, who were campaigning in the west for Nepal's biggest party, the Nepali Congress. Later the same day, hundreds of police raided the headquarters and offices of the controversial Maoist Young Communist League, with local media reporting that the raids were retaliation for the beatings. On Wednesday, a Maoist announcement that they will revive local-level Maoist organisations prompted accusations they are restarting the parallel government they ran in areas under their control during the bitter insurgency. "We are approaching a critical few weeks," said analyst Rhoderick Chalmers, Nepal's country director for the International Crisis Group, a conflict prevention think-tank.