UML leaders press PM to bypass 7-pt deal

REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, Feb 15: Softening his stance on the seven-point deal, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal has said the decision on integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants will be taken as per the Interim Constitution, the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) and the recommendations of the special committee, notwithstanding the deal reached secretly with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

The prime minister expressed his commitment at a meeting with 17 politburo and central committee members of the CPN-UML at his official residence in Baluwatar Monday evening. The UML leaders, who are close to the camp led by Madhav Nepal and KP Sharma Oli, met the prime minister to press him to work as per the party´s decision and not abide by the secret deal.

The Nepal-Oli camp is firmly against the Khanal-Dahal secret deal, saying it is against UML policy.

"We clearly told the prime minister that the seven-point deal is erroneous in terms of content and the way it was inked. We urged him to forget the deal and work as per party policy and decisions," UML Central Committee member Karna Bahadur Thapa told Republica.

They also suggested the prime minister shoulder responsibility for settling the controversy arising inside and outside the UML over the deal.

According to him, the prime minister responded quite positively. "We will move ahead as per the Interim Constitution, the CPA and other past accords and recommendations made by the special committee on integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants," Thapa quoted Khanal as saying.

Khanal also assured party leaders he wouldn´t compromise on ´democratic republic´ and urged them not to worry about ´left polarization´.

Khanal said he would try his best to pursuade the Maoists to give up their claim to the home ministry. But a leader present at the meeting said Khanal didn´t seem confident about getting the Maoists to join his cabinet without the home portfolio. "We said the real intention behind Maoist insistence on the ministry is to mount moral pressure on UML rank and file, with the backing of the home ministry. So we urged him not to bow to Maoist demands," Thapa said.

Attending the meeting were Chhavilal Bishwakarma, Prithivi Subba Gurung, Beduram Bhusal, Krishna Gopal Shrestha, Karna Bahadur Thapa, Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Jagannath Khatiwada, Agni Kharel, Khagraj Adhikari, Thammaya Thapa, Devraj Bhar and Kamala Mahato.