Janakpurdham, March 27:

General secretary of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), Bimalendra Nidhi today laid emphasis that the concept of state restructuring needs to be clarified and deliberations should begin right from now on the concept of federal state structure that may come up after the restoration of democracy.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘Inclusive, proportionate democracy and state restructuring in the current democratic movement’, organised by the Madhesi National Forum in Janakpur, Nidhi said the parties should begin deliberations on the model of a federal state system.

He said, “At a time when all the stakeholders have agreed in principle for state restructuring, deliberations should start on its concept and structure.”

Stating that the country would not have seen such a bad situation had the country had a federal system, Nidhi said, “Nobody gave attention to this reality in the last 14 years of democratic system.”

He also said the Maoists have contributed greatly to start discussions on state restructuring and constituent assembly. He emphased on participation of the Madhesi community in the democratic movement for a federal state structure.

Secretary of the forum Subodh Narayan Jha presided the programme.