MAHENDRANAGAR: CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal today said the country’s federal structure of 15 states drafted by the party’s standing committee was yet to be finalised.

Addressing a press meet organised by the Kanchanpur chapter of Press Chautari Nepal, he said the state-structure would be discussed in the party’s central committee and other bodies.

Khanal also ruled out any internal dispute in the party. “A minor ideological difference in the party has been blown out of proportion outside. It should be addressed internally,” he clarified.

“The media’s tendency of exaggerating the things has taken us by surprise,” he blamed. He, however, admitted that some problems had arisen while implementing the directives and policies passed by the party’s eighth convention. Denying any group interest in the party, Khanal said some cadres could have made hasty remarks but the rifts would be patched up.

He reiterated the need for agreement among political parties to end the current political impasse, stating that attempts were underway to include the Unified CPN-Maoist in the present coalition.

Khanal called on all parties to act responsibly for a timely constitution and said the UML was serious about taking the peace process to a logical end. He claimed that parties were likely to forge consensus soon.