Bagmati Province Government Faces Leadership Change Discussions Amidst Coalition Disputes

Makwanpur. Discussions about changing the leadership of the Bagmati Province government and reshuffling the cabinet have heated up the political circle. However, the disagreement between the two major ruling coalition parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, has increased uncertainty. The administrative and political compulsion to reduce the number of ministries from 14 to 8 starting from Shrawan 1 has further created pressure for a government change. The ruling UML has been claiming that the leadership of the government should come into its hands from the first week of Shrawan. UML has stated its opinion that it should get the leadership according to the gentleman's agreement and task force-level understanding reached during the formation of the government. UML has been saying that the government will be reshuffled amidst the process of reducing the number of ministries. On the other hand, the Nepali Congress, which is leading the government, does not seem to be in favor of changing the Chief Minister immediately. However, a faction within Congress is preparing to remove the current government led by Chief Minister Indrabahadur Baniyan due to dissatisfaction with the budget. A faction of Congress argues that the government's stability, good governance, and service delivery should be prioritized, and claims that there is no written agreement for leadership transfer. According to that faction, reducing the number of ministries is an administrative reform aspect, and linking it to changing the Chief Minister would lead to political instability. That faction states that the public has given a mandate against instability, so the current government should be continued. Another faction of Congress is gathering support to oust the current government, calling it a failure. The main opposition party, the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), is currently in a 'wait and watch' strategy. CPN has clarified that it is not in favor of an immediate government change, calling the power struggle between Congress and UML their internal affair. However, CPN is preparing to consider the decisions made at the center as the basis for power sharing in all seven provinces. Although provincial leaders are intensifying their party's stances and preparations, the final decision appears to depend on the consensus of the top leaders at the center. With the reduction in the number of ministries from Shrawan 1 certain, whether a new government will be formed in Bagmati or the old one will continue will determine the future political direction.

No interest in government change: Dhakal