Eighty-three Maoists joined the 330-seat interim legislature Jan. 15, taking oaths of office in a ceremony following a process that began last year.

Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a Maoist spokesman and new member of the interim legislature, said the former rebels were going to face some major challenges in their new role. "Our biggest challenge in the legislature would be to struggle with the conservatives who have been against these positive changes," he said.

Mahara, who will lead the Maoist members in Parliament, said they would focus on pushing through social and economic reforms.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 20, 2007
(C) All rights reserved