Dispute Erupts Between Coalition Partners in Sudurpashchim, UML Ministers Boycott Cabinet Meeting

March 25, Dhangadhi – A conflict has erupted between the ruling coalition partners, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, in Sudurpashchim Province.

The dispute arose over political appointments within various provincial government bodies, resulting in UML ministers abstaining from the cabinet meeting held on Thursday.

With UML ministers absent, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah conducted the cabinet meeting solely with ministers representing the Congress party.

The meeting resolved to appoint officials and members of hospital management committees in Darchula, Baitadi, Bajhang, and Bajura as allocated to the Congress under the power-sharing arrangement.

According to a minister, the appointments were specifically for hospital management committee positions allotted to Congress.

The meeting also decided to forward suggestions on the Local Level Service Operation Act regulations to the Public Service Commission and approved multi-year criteria and vehicle procurement standards proposed by the Ministry of Finance.

Social Development Minister Meghraj Khadka, who attended the meeting, acknowledged the absence of UML representatives and explained that UML had requested to postpone the meeting as appointments for bodies under their allocation remained undecided.

However, Chief Minister Shah informed UML that only appointments belonging to the Congress side would be made during this session.

The CPN-UML internally requested the Chief Minister to postpone the meeting due to internal disagreements within the party.

Government spokespeople, including Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hira Sarki and Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Surendra Pal, also urged the Chief Minister to defer the meeting.

Nevertheless, Shah clearly stated no decisions would be undertaken regarding hospital and other bodies meant for UML under the agreed power-sharing formula.

A UML minister explained that ministers boycotted the meeting after Congress attempted to claim the chairmanship of the Tikapur Hospital Management Committee, a position allocated to UML under prior understanding.

“The chairperson positions at Tikapur Hospital in Kailali, Mahakali Provincial Hospital, Doti Hospital, and Achham Hospital all fall under UML’s quota,” said the minister. “The Chief Minister has recently begun laying claim to Tikapur as well, so we have requested to resolve this before proceeding.”

Both parties assert the dispute will not harm the coalition alliance. Nepali Congress attributes the issue to internal UML disagreements affecting the nomination process.

“This will not impact the coalition,” Minister Khadka said. “They proposed postponing today’s meeting because of internal disputes. Once those are resolved, the next meeting will make the decisions.”

However, sources indicate Congress has already appointed Ram Bahadur Bhandari of Tikapur as chairperson of Tikapur Provincial Hospital’s management committee, a position allocated to UML.

Similarly, Toran Prasad Awasthi has been appointed chairperson of Darchula District Hospital, Dhan Bahadur Kshetri for Baitadi, Dhan Bahadur Rawat for Bajura, and Birendra Bahadur Khadka for Bajhang hospital committees.

The dispute also highlights growing dissent within UML regarding parliamentary party leader Rajendra Singh Rawal’s unilateral decision-making in provincial government power-sharing, increasing demands for leadership change within the party.