He further assured the CC members close to him that the provinces would have single identity-based names, according to a central committee member. [break]
"After the recommendation of provincial assemblies, the extended parliament in which we will have a majority will pass identity-based names of the provinces. We will not backtrack from our demand for identity-based federalism," a CC member quoted Dahal as saying at the meeting.
Dahal further said he hoped to get support from lawmakers of indigenous community and Madhes-based parties in giving single identity-based names to the provinces. "But that would not be as easy as it sounds. We must continue our struggle to achieve that goal," another central committee leader quoted Dahal as saying at the meeting.
Dahal had called a meeting of the central committee close to his faction at the party headquarters to brief them about Tuesday´s agreement between the political parties.
Earlier, a meeting of the party standing committee members close to Dahal had decided to stick to the 11-province model. The faction led by party Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya faction had objected to the decision.
Dahal further told the central committee meeting, "We have not backtracked from our demand for ethnic-based federalism. We have agreed on the 11 province model. This will pave the way for identity-based federalism."
He further told the central committee members that the directly elected president will naturally have more powers than the executive prime minster elected by parliament.
"The prime minister will only carry out day-to-day works. The president would have the actual executive powers as he would be directly elected by the people.
Book review: Analyzing political economy of federalism in Nepal