Kathmandu: Maoists want a share in the power pie in Kathmandu. They want to be part of the newly formed interim government.
The Maoists are also demanding drafting of a new constitution, which will decide the future of the monarchy. The militants say they will participate in the talks with the new multi-party government, to try and end the differences.
Earlier they had declared a three-month ceasefire after their decade-old campaign to topple the country's monarchy.
''There should be an interim constitution and an interim government,'' Maoist militant leader Prachanda was quoted as saying by Nepal magazine.
Vinod Upadhyay, Maoist leader says, "Maoists will definitely take part in the interim government. Because it's the party of the people and for the people.
It will definitely take part in the government in people interests."
The militants joined forces with a seven-party alliance in playing a key role in the demonstrations that forced King Gyanendra to yield control of the government and restore democracy on April 24.
Since then, the alliance has formed a government, which is gearing up for peace talks with the militants in an attempt to end the more than decade-old insurgency that has killed 13,000 people.
The parties in the government and the militants both agree there should be elections for a constituent assembly that would rewrite the constitution but appear to have differences in how to do it.
The militants want an interim constitution immediately, but the alliance is happy to just make minor changes in the existing charter until a new one is written by the constituent Assembly.
''We have not made any official decision on the issue but we are in agreement that it would be fine just to remove some clauses from the existing constitution,'' said Gopal Man Singh, minister for physical planning and works.
The militants, who appear to be headed for a role in the political mainstream, have made it clear they have differences with the new government despite their partnership in bringing down the royal regime.
''There are some differences in the process between the seven-party alliance and us which should have been resolved through dialogue,'' Prachanda said.
''Instead of resolving the differences, the parties opted for the reinstatement of parliament. We have strong objections over this.''
The militants have agreed to the Cabinet's call for peace talks. The government has also matched the militants' declaration of a cease-fire, and dropped terrorism charges against militant leaders.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the recent protests rose to 18, officials of the Nepali Congress said on Sunday. They said a party member died late Saturday at Medicare Hospital from injuries suffered when hit by a tear gas shell in Katmandu on April 22.
With AP inputs
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