In political document presented at the closed session of the party´s 12th general convention, NC has concluded that six or maximum seven federal states can be formed from the economic viewpoint. [break] While rejecting ethnic-based federal states as proposed by the UCPN (Maoist), the NC has said that a federal state should not have the monopoly of certain linguistic or ethnic or cultural groups and should have multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural character.
The party has identified three main objectives -- providing identity to all ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups, ensuring equal returns of economic development to all, ensuring prompt and just delivery of state services and ending monopoly of certain groups over state power, natural resources -- for the creation of federal structure.
NC has maintained that a federal state without dominance of certain ethnic group in state governance and resources can only safeguard country´s unity and social harmony. The party has proposed that special zone within a certain federal state can be created, if deemed necessary, to ensure distinct identity to certain groups.
The party has maintained that formation of ethnic-based federal states with special privileges for dominant ethnic groups will only invite social discord and dominance of certain ethnic group.
It has proposed that all political parties in the CA should initiate discussions on the basis of the proposal floated by CA Committee on State Restructuring to arrive at consensus on the number of federal states and their names and areas. A sub-committee formed under the CA Committee to recommend the number of federal states has proposed 14 federal states.
The NC has also demanded formation of a state restructuring commission comprising experts to hold consultations with all stakeholders concerned and make recommendations to the CA on the number of states.
NC has criticized the Maoists´ proposal for 14-states based on ethnicity. "This has made the issue of state restructuring complex...," says the document.
The NC alleged that Maoists have tried to misinterpret the concept of giving special privileges and rights to self determination to dominant ethnic groups.
Nepali Congress believes that the right to self-determination does not mean the right to undermine country´s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, the document adds.
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