JANAKPURDHAM: Nearly a month after the formation of a new provincial government in Madhesh under Chief Minister Krishna Yadav, the cabinet is yet to be completed, raising concerns over governance, efficiency and stability.
Although commitments were made to run a swift, effective and people-oriented administration at the time of government formation, the ground reality so far appears contrary. Yadav was appointed chief minister on December 5 with the support of six parties and secured a vote of confidence from the Provincial Assembly on December 19.
However, more than 10 days after obtaining the vote of confidence, the cabinet has not been expanded. Political observers say the delay has begun to affect the government’s functionality and credibility.
Out of the 11 ministries under the provincial government, only five ministers have been appointed so far. The remaining six ministries remain without leadership, directly impacting administrative decision-making, policy implementation and service delivery, analysts warn.
The current government, backed by Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal (JSP-Nepal), Janamat Party, Nepali Congress, Maoist Centre, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) and CPN (Unified Socialist), faces growing skepticism over its ability to meet public expectations if the cabinet is not completed soon.
Under the power-sharing arrangement, LSP has received the Ministry of Education and Culture, Janamat Party the Ministry of Finance, Nepali Congress the Ministry of Health, Maoist Centre the Ministry of Energy, Irrigation and Drinking Water, and CPN (Unified Socialist) the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. JSP-Nepal has secured the Speaker’s post.
Nepali Congress Chief Whip Kumar Kant Jha said it would take a few more days to give full shape to the cabinet, citing internal consultations within parties, ministerial selection and procedural requirements.
“Although it may appear delayed, necessary discussions are underway within the parties. The cabinet will be completed within a few days,” Jha said.
Meanwhile, leader of the main opposition CPN-UML parliamentary party and former Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav criticized the delay, saying the incomplete cabinet has made the provincial government look weak. He urged the chief minister to immediately expand the cabinet.
Maoist Centre leader Yuvraj Bhattarai said the allocation of ministries has already been finalized and that the cabinet would be expanded once Chief Minister Yadav returns from Kathmandu.
According to Bhattarai, the chief minister has been occupied with candidate selection for the upcoming elections, which has contributed to the delay.While political coordination issues, intra-party power balance and election-focused activities appear to have taken precedence, civil society members and administrative officials have begun voicing concern that a prolonged incomplete cabinet could undermine good governance, development work and day-to-day administration in the province.
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