“What has been written in his memoir is ridiculous,” said Dahal talking to reporters at his residence in Lazimpat on Tuesday. Dahal, then prime minister, had resigned from the post following his attempt to sack Katawal in 2009.

The UCPN (M) chairman claimed that Katwal then had not  been able to pose even a small difficulty for him, adding that the Army Chief was influenced by ‘external forces'. “He had then acted at other’s direction,” Dahal said.  But he did not divulge anything about the 'external force'.

The UCPN (Maoist) led government had sacked then Army Chief Katwal only to be reinstated later by President Ram Baran Yadav following which the government collapsed.  

Dubbing Katawal as an opportunist, the former prime minister said, “Until there was monarchy, he attempted to protect it. Then after, he left the king's side once the country became republic. Now, he presents himself as if the transformation of the nation into a republic would not been possible without him.”

In a different context, chairman Dahal underscored the need for cooperation amongst the major parties for drafting constitution within the stipulated timeframe.