Oli Instructs Removal of UML Ministers in Sudurpaschim, Tensions Rise

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has instructed the removal of party ministers in Sudurpaschim Province and lobbied to appoint his own close allies as ministers. Oli reportedly gave directives to appoint provincial assembly members as ministers against the wishes of the parliamentary party leader Rajendra Rawal. The current three ministers — Surendra Pal, Bir Bahadur Thapa, Hira Singh Sarki and State Minister Nirmala Devi Saud are considered close to Rawal. Oli has recommended Deputy Leader Santosh Sharma Thapa, Chief Whip Chakrabahadur Malla, and Daman Bhandari for ministerial positions. Previously, Oli had attempted to remove Rawal as parliamentary party leader, but due to Rawal’s own close allies, a meeting was called and Rawal remained in the leadership position.

Under the new arrangement, UML is preparing to appoint Santosh Sharma Thapa for Physical Infrastructure Development, Chakrabahadur Malla for Internal Affairs and Law, and Daman Bhandari for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives. Similarly, Janaki Aair Wam is set to become State Minister for Physical Infrastructure. She is said to have remained in Rawal’s camp due to province in-charge Damodar Bhandari.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has also decided to replace three ministers and two state ministers, excluding Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah. However, due to disputes over who will become ministers, the cabinet has not been reconstituted. There were also attempts to remove Chief Minister Shah as parliamentary party leader, but an agreement was reached to reshuffle ministers and state ministers while keeping Shah. Internal power balancing and factionalism in both major parties have created tensions in cabinet expansion and reshuffling.