KATHMANDU, April 27 - Hours after calling off a crippling blockade of the capital and all district headquarters, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on Wednesday announced a unilateral ceasefire for three months with immediate effect. In a statement, Maoist Chairman Prachanda said, “Our party once again, through this statement, announces a unilateral ceasefire for three months with immediate effect.” The Maoists had announced a similar truce in September last year and later extended it by a month. In his latest statement, Prachanda said the truce was for facilitating the ongoing “people’s struggle” for a constituent assembly and a democratic republic “so as to lead the struggle to a historic conclusion” and for encouraging the parliamentary political parties to announce unconditional constituent assembly. “During the ceasefire, the People’s Liberation Army won’t launch any offensive action,” Prachanda said, stressing that King Gyanendra’s proclamation on Monday had not addressed the Maoists. The ceasefire follows Prachanda’s announcement of the blockade withdrawal heeding requests from Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, who has been named seven-party alliance's candidate for the post of the Prime Minister. Earlier today, in his request to the rebels, Koirala had promised that the reinstated House would include constituent assembly elections as the main issue in its working agenda. "The Maoist-announced protest programs, including the blockade, have caused acute hardship and distress for ordinary people," he said. "Hence, I request the CPN (Maoist) to withdraw the blockade and other forms of protests." Koirala also expressed commitment that the government to be formed under his leadership would take positive decision vis-à-vis holding constituent assembly elections. On Tuesday, the rebels had announced blockade of the capital and all district headquarters until there was an announcement of unconditional election for constituent assembly. However, the latest statement said other peaceful protest programs would continue as usual.