To negotiate with the government, Maoists have formed a three member committee headed by a former member of parliament before going underground nearly six years ago to fight for a republic in the Hindu kingdom, a statement issued Wednesday evening by Comrade Prachanda, strongman of the underground Maoist party.

The team is headed by Krishna Bahadur Mahara and consists of Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and Agni Sapkota, an official broadcast state owned Radio Nepal also broadcast said. Mahara was one of nine members of the Samyukta Janamorcha elected to parliament in Nepal’s first general elections in 1991 after the restoration of multi-party democracy.

The statement of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to parliament at 1 PM (5.15 GMT) Thursday will be  relayed live by Radio Nepal and Nepal Television, another announcement said. Deuba is expected to focus his speech on the negotiations with the rebels to end an insurgency that has claimed more than 1,800 lives in nearly six years.

To negotiate a settlement of Nepal’s worst insurgency, government and Maoists  announced a temporary end to hostilities last month after Deuba was installed as prime minister. Deuba asked rebels Tuesday to end  demands for a republic because constitutional monarchy was a symbol of national unity.

The announcement of a negotiating team coincides with  the first round of talks in the capital  Wednesday between a fraternal wing of the Maoists and the government to end the nation-wide sale of liquor as demanded by the rebels from Saturday; the talks will continue Friday, an announcement said.

Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka, Finance Minister Dr.Ram Sharan Mahat and Minister for Physical Planning Chiranjibi Wagle talked with a five members team of the All Nepal Women’s Association (ANWA) revolutionary headed by its chairperson Rekha Sharma, a source said.

Close colleagues of Deuba including former Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Pokhrel, met  at the prime minister’s official residence Wednesday after receiving a positive response from Maoists, a party source said.