Kathmandu, Apr. 29:

Nepali Congress Sunday reiterated that it would stick to its proposal for seven provinces while restructuring the state.

NC leaders discussed the issue in the meeting of the office bearers and concluded to stick in its earlier stance for seven provinces.

Central member Dr. Shekhar Koirala informed that his party had not changed its earlier stance.

"Our party has not changed the concept," he said.

Central member Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also said that the party could not make any change in its proposal as the party prepared it by carrying out an intensive study and discussion.

Nepali Congress leaders expressed their dissatisfaction over the CPN-UML for changing its stance regarding the number of provinces.

"NC has not attached importance to vote banks, provinces should be created keeping in mind the economic condition of the country," Dr. Koirala said.

Likewise, Navindra Raj Joshi said that provinces should be created on the basis of capability and identity.

NC found it in a difficult situation when UML was closed to the UCPN-Maoist and the Madhesi Front regarding the number of provinces.

However, UML secretary Shankar Pokhrel said while addressing a function in Kathmandu Sunday that the official stance his party was also for seven provinces.

The major three parties and the Front were divided over the issues of state restructuring after the Maoist party made public its proposal for 10 provinces based on ethnicity a few days ago.