PM acting under secret 7-pt deal: NC

It seems the already troubled relation between the ruling and opposition parties is set worsen further following Monday´s cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal.The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC), which had repeatedly warned the prime minister against the reshuffle and has been obstructing parliament, has said it will launch still more stringent protest. NC has alleged that Prime Minister Khanal is bent on reviving the controversial seven-point deal reached secretly between him and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal hours before the formation of his government on February 
NC chief whip Laxman Ghimire alleged that the fresh bid by the prime minister to induct new Maoist ministers was tantamount to throwing away the five-point deal into the dustbin."We can no longer expect Prime Minister Khanal to deliver on peace and new statute. The prime minister is moving ahead on the path set out by the controversial seven-point deal," he said. "We will continue with the House obstruction until the five-point deal is implemented and the prime minister steps down," he further said. The NC has been obstructing the parliament for past several days to exert pressure on Prime Minister Khanal to step down immediately.
  Prime Minister Khanal had visited the residence of NC President Sushil Koirala on Sunday to court NC´s support for cabinet reshuffle. NC leaders said the fresh move of the prime minister only vitiates the environment of national consensus. "The move of the prime minister to administer oath of office and secrecy to new Maoist ministers is an attempt to revive the controversial seven-point deal," said NC leader Ramesh Lekhak.
     Among other things, Prime Minister and UML Chairman Khanal and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the ´secret´ deal had agreed to lead the government by turns. NC has grown suspicious as the Maoist leaders have been publicly saying that Maoist would lead the government after August 31 -- the deadline of the extended term of the CA -- as per the secret seven-point deal.