Describing as "positive" the Maoists' decision to have a three-month ceasefire, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury on Saturday hoped the rebels would join the political process and help in building a new democratic Nepal.
"It is very much encouraging that the Nepalese Maoists have announced unilateral ceasefire. I am very much hopeful that the Maoists will come to peaceful politics," Yechury, a Rajya Sabha member, told reporters in Kathmandu.
He said the rebels have shown a positive gesture by declaring ceasefire and withdrawing their blockades targeting Kathmandu and district headquarters.
Nepalese people have already built their roadmap towards democracy and peace and now it is time to move ahead on that roadmap to build a new democratic Nepal, he said adding, if the Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists have mutual trust to move forward there is no need for international observers to conduct Constituent Assembly elections.
However, the CPI-M politbureau member said India will have no objection if Nepalese people wish to bring in an international monitoring team for smooth conduct of Constituent Assembly polls and management of arms.
Replying to a question, he said, if the Nepal government makes an official request to India for release of Maoists detained in Indian jails, New Delhi would have no objection in doing so in the changed context.
"If the Nepal government withdraws the terrorist tag from the Maoists, then under new legal provision India should release them," he added.