MAKAWANPUR April 18: Defending the previous government's decision on provincial capitals, former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday urged Dormani Poudel, chief minister (CM) of Province 3, not to shift the provincial capital from Hetauda to elsewhere. 

Former PM Deuba made the urge in a meeting with CM Poudel, who, however, did not respond to Deuba's request.  

The request from the former prime minister comes at a time when speculations are rife that the current government is preparing to relocate the provincial capitals fixed by the erstwhile Deuba government. Provincial lawmakers have registered conflicting proposals at parliament demanding that the capital of the province should be relocated to Bhaktapur, Kavre and Nuwakot districts saying hetauda is not accessible for locals of other districts. Some lawmakers from the ruling parties are dead against the previous government's decision to name Hetauda as the provincial capital.

The Deuba government had fixed Hetauda as the temporary capital of Province 3. Deuba, who has arrived here in Hetauda to address an orientation program of Nepal Tarun Dal, the youth wing of his party, has assured the party's local leaders and cadres of continuing his support to retain Hetauda as the provincial capital. 

Locals in the district have submitted a memorandum of understanding to Deuba demanding that the capital of the province should not be anywhere other than Hetauda. 

 
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