KAILALI: Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah has instructed Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment Rameshwar Chaudhary to resign from his post, citing dissatisfaction with his performance and decision-making.
According to sources close to the Chief Minister, Shah was displeased with Minister Chaudhary’s conduct, particularly during the budget preparation process, where the minister allegedly acted independently without proper coordination. This prompted the Chief Minister to ask for his immediate resignation.
Rameshwar Chaudhary, who represents the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), was appointed as minister on May 18.
Sources close to the minister confirmed that he is now engaged in internal consultations with other NUP provincial lawmakers regarding the resignation request. One NUP provincial assembly member acknowledged that the resignation directive had been issued, though the exact reasons were unclear.
However, party insiders suggest the decision may be linked to an earlier controversy during Chaudhary’s tenure as Agriculture Minister.
He was allegedly connected to a group that collected money from farmers under the pretext of distributing power tillers through government subsidies. Police are currently investigating the case and have arrested individuals including Sushila Khadka from Kailali in connection with the incident.
This is not the first time a minister from the Nagarik Unmukti Party has been embroiled in controversy. Previously, then Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment, Laxman Kishor Chaudhary, resigned after being accused of plotting financial misdealings in relation to sustainable forest management procedures.
Multiple ministers from the NUP have faced scandals in recent months. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shah is reportedly unhappy with several other ministers as well, particularly over budget-related issues. Sources claim Shah has raised concerns about alleged commission deals in the current fiscal budget, involving ministers, secretariat officials, and bureaucrats.
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