According to the media reports, Nepal's opposition Maoist party began the second day of a nationwide strike Monday for the resignation of the prime minister, who has refused to step down.

The Maoists vowed to continue their action indefinitely, which on Sunday was reported to be largely peaceful except for some clashes in some areas.

The Times of India has reported that the strike has affected transport and industries in the poor Himalayan republic.

Saying his government is committed to completing a new constitution required under the peace process that helped end the decadelong Maoist-led rebellion in 2006, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has refused to step down. A draft of the constitution must be completed before the end of May, which now appears difficult.

Nepalnews. com has reported that a Maoist leader said his group has no other alternative except to continue the indefinite strike and urged the thousands of supporters on the streets of the capital Kathmandu to continue their action until the current government is replaced with a national unity government. But he did not rule out dialogue to resolve the political crisis.

Talks among the country's three major parties resumed Sunday for 90 minutes. Kush Kumar Joshi, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries, which helped set up the talks, told VOA he remained optimistic of a breakthrough, a Voice of America report has said.

The report also said that Maoist Party leader and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the parties were still apart on some key issues. (With Inputs from Agencies)