Federalism should not jeopardise national unity: Dr. Mahat

Leader of Nepali Congress (NC) Dr. Prakash Saran Mahat has said that would-be federal structure should be determined by different aspects such as geography, economy, culture, ethnicity and historical background.

Talking to Nepalnews on Friday, leader Mahat also retreated that geographical and ethnicity-based federalism is not possible, adding that such federal structure could even prove detrimental to peace and national unity.

However, he did not mention about the exact numbers of the states the NC would go for, but added that they will be determined by political consensus.

Mahat further said that defence and foreign policy should be controlled by the central government while said other rights should give the states.

He also emphasised that the big parties to bring smaller parties into confidence while drafting the new constitution. nepalnews.com kp July 04 08