Kathmandu, Nov 16 Nepal's Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, whose party has threatened to call an indefinite shutdown if its demand is not addressed by Friday, flew to Singapore Monday in a surprise move, causing a flutter in political circles.

The former revolutionary is accompanied by Maoist lawmaker and in-charge of the party's international affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

Prachanda's aides said they are expected to stay till Wednesday though the departure has not been finalised.

Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma said it was a personal visit.

However, there is speculation that the former prime minister will hold emergency talks with another former Nepali prime minister and kingmaker, who is also currently camping in Singapore.

Girija Prasad Koirala, chief of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in the ruling alliance, was flown to Singapore by air ambulance Saturday ostensibly for medical treatment.

The 84-year-old is suffering from pneumonia as well as lung infection.

It is felt that Prachanda will hold talks with Koirala asking him to pressure the coalition government into coming up with a face-saving device for the Maoists.

The Maoists are asking for an apology from President Ram Baran Yadav, for having reinstated the chief of the army they had tried to sack. The presidential intervention caused the collapse of their eight-month government in May.

Else, they want a debate in parliament on the role of the president, which however is not being allowed by the ruling alliance.

The demand has kept parliament obstructed for nearly six months due to Maoist protests and thrown Nepal's fragile peace process - that ended a decade of violent insurgency - in jeopardy.

It is now doubtful if the parties will be able to keep their date with history and promulgate a new constitution by May 2010.

Confidential meetings between Koirala and Prachanda in the past have smacked of conspiracies, with both leaders alleging the other was offering plum posts to enlist his party's support. (IANS)