The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) on Tuesday expressed serious disapproval over the proposed 11-state model agreed by the major parties as against the 14-state model proposed by the State Restructuring Commission and endorsed by the CA committee. It also called upon all Nepalis to condemn the agreement and stand against it.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday evening, NEFIN, which represents various indigenous groups and communities in the country, termed the agreement between the major parties to form 11 "multi-ethnic provinces" (and name them at a later date based on the recommendation made by the provincial assembly after delineation of the state boundaries) as a "grave betrayal and deception".

NEFIN's chairman Raj Kumar Lekhi even slammed the deal made by four leaders of the major parties as a "ploy to shy away from federalism", warning that the party leaders will have to pay the price for this deception.

Meanwhile, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), which also attended the meeting between the major political parties that resulted in the agreement, expressed reservations over the agreement to federate the country into 11 states.

Issuing a statement Tuesday night, UDMF expressed its disagreement over the 11-state model proposed by the three major political parties by completely sidelining the issue of ethnicity and identity. The alliance of Madhesi parties, which is a key coalition partner, also called upon all Nepalis to unite to federate the country on the basis of identity and ethnicity.

However, the Front said it will not create problems in promulgating the new constitution on May 27. nepalnews.com