Nepal’s major rival political parties, spurred on by a recent devastating earthquake, have reached a historic agreement to end years of deadlock on a new constitution for the country.

Information Minister Minendra Rijal on Tuesday described the agreement, which was reached earlier on Monday, as a “major breakthrough in the country’s recent history.”

The minister said the April 25 quake motivated rival political factions to work together, adding, “There is a will to get this done.”

Sources say a draft of the final constitution, which needs the approval of a two-thirds parliamentary majority, would be ready in July.

Nepal’s parliament started work on a new national constitution in 2008 after a decade-long Maoist insurgency brought down the monarchical system in the country. However, the political parties were unable to reach an agreement, leaving the country in political limbo.

The Maoist insurgency also claimed the lives of an estimated 16,000 people across the country.

The opposition Maoist party has been pressing for the greater devolution of powers in Nepal over the past years.

The Maoists in the country demanded the creation of new provinces to favor what they claimed were marginalized communities. Other parties saw the demand as divisive and threatening national unity.

Under the new deal, the rivals have agreed to divide Nepal into eight provinces. However, experts say the agreement leaves the issue of provincial borders unresolved, an omission which could create future problems.

The Himalayan country will also continue with its current system of national governance, which includes an executive premier and a president with a ceremonial role.

Some of the victims of the recent disaster in Nepal were unimpressed by the political breakthrough. Reacting to the deal, Eakindra Gautam, a 57-year-old villager who fled to Kathmandu after her home was destroyed, demanded the government to concentrate on relief efforts.

“I’d rather have rehabilitation and relief than new provinces,” said Gautam, adding, “The number of provinces makes no difference to my devastated life or my destroyed village.”

The deal comes weeks after Nepal was rocked by an 8.1-magnitude earthquake. Nearly 9,000 people were killed and many others were injured or displaced in the disaster.

The earthquake also destroyed more than half a million homes and left huge numbers of people without shelter. The United Nations says the quake has affected more than a quarter of Nepal’s 28 million people.

JR/KA/HJL