KATHMANDU: The coalition government led by CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli is rapidly losing support, with the Nagarik Unmukti Party now preparing to withdraw from both federal and provincial governments. This comes just days after the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) decided to pull its support.
The latest trigger for Nagarik Unmukti Party’s exit is the dismissal of its minister in Sudurpaschim Province. Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah, from the Nepali Congress, sacked Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Minister Rameshwar Chaudhary on Thursday.
In response, Nagarik Unmukti Party has expressed strong dissatisfaction, calling the move arbitrary and a violation of democratic values.
According to party chair Ranjeeta Shrestha, Nagarik Unmukti Party views the dismissal as a direct insult to the party and its elected representatives.
“We consider this action to be politically arrogant, unilateral, and disrespectful to democratic principles,” she said, announcing that the party will now assume an opposition role.
The dispute escalated after CM Shah reportedly asked Chaudhary to resign a few days ago. The minister refused, despite allegations linking him to a controversial scheme involving the collection of money from farmers under the pretext of subsidized power tiller distribution.
Several individuals, including Sushila Khadka of Krishna Municipality–8 in Kanchanpur, have been arrested in connection with the case.
This is not the first time an Nagarik Unmukti Party minister has faced controversy in Sudurpaschim. The previous minister from the party, Laxman Kishor Chaudhary, had resigned after being implicated in alleged financial irregularities related to a sustainable forest management policy.
After Rameshwar Chaudhary’s dismissal, Nagarik Unmukti Party appears poised to withdraw from both Sudurpaschim Province and the federal government. Chairperson Shrestha stressed that the party was not consulted and no justification was given for the firing.
“Our party has reached the decision to leave the government at both levels in order to uphold the people’s mandate, our party’s dignity, and the respect of our elected representatives,” she said.
“We regard our lawmakers as the face of our party. To insult them is to insult the party and betray public trust,” Shrestha added. “From now on, we will take our place in Parliament as a firm opposition.”
Currently, Nagarik Unmukti Party has four members in the House of Representatives.
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