"I don´t find the arguments behind extending the CA term convincing," Nepal said.[break]
Talking to Republica, he said he is personally against term extension and also dropped a hint that even the ruling CPN UML may not be positive about the idea.
Though, he clarified, the issue is yet to be discussed thoroughly within the party. "This is not a time to talk about extending CA´s term, instead, it is high-time to put all efforts behind completing the task of constitution writing," he said.
The extended one-year term for CA is expiring on May 28, 2011.
Nepal also reiterated that the there is no option other than revising the controversial seven-point agreement signed secretly by Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal since it was done sidestepping the established policy, procedure and system of the party.
Since the party´s standing committee has already termed it a blunder, there is no way of owning up the agreement as long as the flaws pointed out by the party are not corrected, he stressed.
Meanwhile, Rastriya Janamorcha Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC took strong exception to the seven-point deal in a press statement issued on Monday. KC, in the statement, said, "We categorically object to the points that mention formation of a separate force of Maoist combatants and leading government on a rotational basis."
The statement further said the agreement exposed Khanal´s longing for power and position.
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