Khanal, Prachanda close to deal on power sharing

The Khanal-Prachanda agreement includes, among other things, provisions to share the prime ministerial berth onrotational basis, sharing key ministries of Home, Defence andForeign among the two largest Communist parties and setting upa separate force within the Nepal Army while integrating theMaoist combatants.

Some opposition parties, including the NepaliCongress, and a section within the CPN-UML, have made theirreservations known on giving the vital Home Ministry to theformer rebels and on clauses in the so-called 7-pointagreement on forming a separate security force for Maoistcombatants.

The main opposition Nepali Congress party has stronglyopposed the 7-point deal saying it violated all the peaceagreements signed in the past and the interim Constitution.

NC leader Sujata Koirala had said earlier that herparty may join a national consensus government if PremierKhanal amends the 7-point power-sharing deal he reached withthe Maoist supremo.

However, main opposition leader Ramchandra Poudyalsaid there was no possibility of joining a Maoist-ledgovernment, and contended that the views expressed by Koiralawere her "personal views".

Poudyal claimed the seven-point deal was a ploy todeceive the people.