KATHMANDU: Senior Maoist leader Amik Sherchan today said Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal was the most fragile PM he ever saw in his 50-year political career.

"I've never seen such a fragile PM," Sherchan said, addressing a gathering in front of District Administration Office Kathmandu this afternoon. The vice-chairman of the United National People's Movement of the UCPN-Maoist claimed that PM Nepal had asked him to save the government since foreign powers did not want the Maoists in power.

When the 22 ruling parties were criticising the UN general secretary for 'interfering in Nepal's internal affairs' in Singha Durbar, Sherchan was lauding the UN role. "Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has suggested a joint national government in Nepal," he said.

Thousands of Maoist cadres, from various sister organisations of the party, picketed the Babarmahal-based DAO. Similar protest programmes were held at Lalitpur and Bhaktapur DAOs. The protesters sang, and danced to the tunes of various folk songs and "peoples' songs". Snacks were served and traditional musical instruments played to boost the cadres' morale.

The main opposition is scheduled to declare Kathmandu valley as the Newar Autonomous State amid a function at Basantapur on November 9. Party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is scheduled to address the function.

Maoist leader Pawan Man Shrestha 'Pravakiran' said rallies would emerge from various corners of the city and converge at Basantapur. Similar functions are planned for other 'autonomous states' carved out by the former rebels.

They plan to block all entry and exit points of the Valley on November 10. On November 12 and 13, the Maoists plan to picket Singha Durbar.