Maoists signal softened stance

Powerful Maoist leader and former rebel chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal — better known by his nom de guerre Prachanda — had also threatened to boycott the new constituent assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution.

That elusive landmark was a major condition in a peace deal that ended a conflict that claimed more than 16,000 lives.

“Our party wants a high level independent commission to investigate into the widespread conspiracy and fraud,” Maoist spokesman Agni Sapkota said in a statement.

“The new constitution should be prepared on the basis of a consensus among political parties … and even those parties that boycotted the elections should be involved in the making of the charter,” Sapkota said.

The marked softening in language,and reference to consensus,pointed to readiness to accept the outcome of the November 19 election,political analysts said.

Some Maoist leaders had already said they did not agree with Prachanda’s position and wanted to join parliament.