The central committee meeting of the CPN (UML) has endorsed the seven-province federal model based on multiple identities, which was earlier adopted by the party's standing committee.

Saturday's CC meeting passed the proposal through majority amid dissent by some CC members. While a group of Janajati and Madhesi leaders, who have been demanding single identity-based federal system, boycotted the meeting some CC numbers Raghuji Pant, Khagraj Adhikari, Bhim Rawal, Guru Baral and Pushpa Kandel wrote notes of dissent against the proposal to name the provinces reflecting ethnic identity. They said naming the provinces along ethnic lines would prove divisive.

The seven-province model consists of Kirat-Limbuwan-Koshi province, Tamsaling-Newa-Bagmati, Magarat-Tamuwan-Gandaki, Bheri-Karnali, Seti-Mahakali, Tharuhat-Abadh-Lumbini and Mithila-Bhojpura-Janakpur province.

Meanwhile, the UML has said it would firmly stand in favour of multiple identity-based federal model passed by the CC.

In a statement issued at the end of the meeting, the UML said the proposal was prepared after discussions at different levels of the party and that the party would now concentrate on implementing the proposal. The party also offered apology for the delay in taking a decision that caused confusion. nepalnews.com