DANG, July 17: The ruling coalition in Lumbini Province has entered a state of deep uncertainty following the decision of the central leadership of the Nepali Congress (NC) to reshuffle power dynamics at the provincial level. The party has initiated steps to recall all five of its ministers currently serving in the CPN-UML-led provincial government. Although a major collapse of the alliance was anticipated on Thursday, the immediate crisis was temporarily averted as the ministers did not submit their resignations.
Efforts to formalize the NC's exit on Thursday were stalled because the planned parliamentary party meeting could not take place. Lawmakers confirmed that discussions regarding the withdrawal of support and the recall of ministers were meant to be finalized during the meeting, but the session was postponed. Informal negotiations among key leaders are still ongoing, and the NC is now preparing to hold the crucial parliamentary party meeting on Friday to reach a definitive decision.
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Following the postponement of the official meeting, NC Lumbini Province Parliamentary Party Leader Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary attempted to hold informal discussions with the party’s ministers. However, the meeting failed to produce a concrete outcome due to incomplete attendance. While Dhanendra Karki, Minister for Economic Affairs, Prachanda Bikram Neupane, Minister for Industry, Tourism, and Transport, and Janmajaya Timilsina, Minister for Social Development, were present, Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Roj Rana and Forest Minister Devkaran Prasad Kalwar did not attend.
Meanwhile, the leading UML has adopted a cautious "wait and watch" approach, waiting for the NC to make its official move. Sources at the Chief Minister’s Office indicated that there is no immediate intention from their side to break the alliance. Instead, the ruling party plans to adapt and deploy new survival strategies only after the NC ministers formally step down and withdraw their support.
The situation is further complicated by internal indecision within the NC regarding its next political move. The party remains divided on whether it should claim leadership of the province, seek a new coalition with other communist forces, or sit in the opposition. Sitting ministers have expressed that a clear, central directive outlining the reasons for leaving the government and a defined post-exit strategy would have greatly reduced the current state of confusion.
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