Maoist strongman Comrade Prachanda Wednesday reiterated the underground party’s desire to seek a negotiated and political solution to the country’s current problems. We reiterate our commitment and effort to find a political solution to the current problems through negotiations,” he said in a statement issued Wednesday evening.

The insurgents Wednesday announced the “first” team headed by Krishna Bahadur Mahara to negotiate a settlement with the government. Maoists for the first time commented on ordinances approved hastily last week by  the House of Representatives to establish an armed police force and appoint five regional administrators to devolve powers.

The ordinances will come into effect after approvals by the National Assembly and  King Gyanendra– a mere formality now. “The ordinances were approved through  a deep conspiracy involving the government and the opposition UML,” Prachanda said in the statement.

But Prachanda still called the government’s efforts for negotiations “a positive move” and warned of conspiracy to derail peace efforts. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is expected to announce the next government move to Maoist initiatives in an address to parliament Thursday afternoon to be nationally televised and also relayed by Radio Nepal.

“An interim government, a new constitution and the evolution of a republic and the party’s main issues,” the Prachanda statement said. The statement makes no mention of an earlier demand for constitution assembly to draft the nation’s basic law.