Maoists press PM to make 'historic' move

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Unified CPN-Maoist today urged Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal to take a ‘historic’ decision to implement the seven-point deal between the Maoists and the CPN-UML.

Addressing the Parliament meeting, Maoist leader Dev Prasad Gurung hinted that the historic decision meant providing either home or defence ministry to the Maoists.

He claimed that Khanal-led government would win the support of two-third majority in the Parliament, adding that Nepali Congress and other reactionary elements were plotting to break the pact, that had laid the foundation for national consensus. “If the seven-point deal is broken, it will create instability, anarchy and will ultimately damage the nation. The PM should take a historic decision to implement the agreement,” Gurung said.

He said UCPN-M and UML had agreed to lead the government on rotation basis, as NC did not agree on the rotation system. “We agreed to form a separate security force involving the PLA after all attempts to manage PLA failed due to hurdles created by NC,” Gurung said.

Nepali Congress leader Prakash Man Singh rejected the Maoists’ justification on the seven-point deal. “The agreement to form a separate security force is against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” he said, adding that the secret deal in itself was against the spirit of national consensus.

As none of the past agreements had mentioned anything about forming a separate security force, the seven-point deal has directly violated the peace agreement in this regard, Singh said.

“How can the pact be the foundation for national consensus, as even the PM’s party is sharply divided on the agreement?” Singh questioned.

Singh said completion of the peace and statute drafting processes by the extended deadline of the Constituent Assembly under the present coalition was a far cry, as the cabinet is yet to take shape.

Ram Nath Dhakal of CPN-UML urged the NC to reach an agreement for rotation system of leading the government.

“The earlier dispute on who should get the first chance of leading the government has ended with Khanal’s election to PM’s post. Now, the parties should agree on who should lead the government for the second and third time. It can be the best option to address the national agendas,” Dhakal said.