UML in Gandaki Prepares to Withdraw Ministers; Chief Minister Pande Signals New Minister Selection Favoring Phanindra Devkota’s Faction
The Gandaki Province government is preparing to recall ministers from the CPN-UML, with Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pande having urged ministers to resign voluntarily before being removed. The UML parliamentary party’s board meeting is expected to decide on recalling ministers and continuing discussions with other parties to form a government. Currently, UML ministers Govinda Nepali, Bhim Karki, Yashoda Rimal, and Laxman Pande are serving in Gandaki, but the UML-Congress coalition government is once again facing potential reshuffle.
The CPN-UML has decided to withdraw its ministers from the Gandaki provincial government. Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pande suggested that the ministers should resign on ethical grounds before any removal. The UML parliamentary party board meeting in Gandaki has indicated that the preparations for recalling ministers are at an advanced stage.
Senior UML parliamentary party advisor Devka Pahari stated that a meeting was held to discuss the government’s situation and to make a decision accordingly. Other lawmakers have indicated that ministers are preparing to submit their resignations. Previously, Padma Gissi held the Agriculture Ministry, Krishna Pathak the Health Ministry, Prakash Bahadur KC the Physical Infrastructure Ministry, and Mitralal Basyal the Industry and Tourism Ministry on behalf of UML.
Although UML holds 22 seats and the ruling NCP has 6 in Gandaki, they do not have a majority to form a government. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) plays a decisive role in Gandaki and has not withdrawn its support for Pande. Following the UML’s decision to recall ministers, Chief Minister Pande is consulting with leadership in Kathmandu to select new ministers. There is a strong possibility that Phanindra Devkota, a lawmaker from Baburam Bhattarai’s Nepal Socialist Party (Naya Shakti), which won under the Maoist election symbol, will be appointed as a minister in Pande’s government.
From Congress, the likely ministerial candidates include Ashok Shrestha from Tanahun, Dilliram Suvedi from Baglung, and Dron Kunwar, who had previously announced his resignation but returned under pressure. Signs also suggest that two ministers may be appointed from Congress. Chief Minister Pande has emphasized that all ministers should resign on ethical grounds.