Kathmandu, April 20

Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala Friday said that his party wanted only six to seven provinces in the country.

Talking to a delegation of Nepal Federation of Indigenous and Nationalities (NEFIN) at his Maharjgunj residence, Koirala said that his party was serious to establish the rights of all ethnic, Dalit, endogenous and marginalized groups and added that establishment of six to seven provinces would be helpful in establishing the rights of all people.

On the occasion, he received a memorandum submitted by NEFIN demanding establishment of identity based federal system.

Koirala said that discussions among the leaders of the key political parties were underway to address the concerns expressed by the indigenous groups.

Koirala also said that he take maximum initiatives to incorporate their demands from his side.

The NEFIN has demanded identity based federalism along with timely promulgation of the new constitution by ensuring social and economic development of the marginalized and minorities groups.

President of NEFIN Raj Kumar Lekhi said the state should bring the indigenous communities into the country’s mainstream by protecting their rights.

Talking to the media people, Koirala said that the new national consensus government would be formed before May 27 under the leadership of NC.

He said that the seven-point deal had guided to form the unity government under the NC leadership and all parties should support the NC to lead the unity government.

He said that his party was serious to resolve the contentious issues of the constitution through political consensus and clarified that his party would not compromise with any force to write a democratic constitution.

He said that NC’s views on federalism were scientific and it would not change its views regarding the number of provinces.

He said that an NC-led government was essential to conclude the historical tasks of peace and constitution writing.