Gandaki Province Government Prepares for Cabinet Reshuffle

Kathmandu. Preparations are underway for a cabinet reshuffle in Gandaki Province. The ruling coalition partners, the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML), are planning to recall all current ministers and appoint new ones. Both parties are currently engaged in internal discussions to finalize their selections.

Previously, the cabinet included four ministers from the Congress, including the Chief Minister, and four from the UML. The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Drinking Water has remained vacant since Phanindra Devkota, a leader from the then-Nepal Samajbadi Party who was appointed under the Congress quota, resigned during the Gen-Z movement.

According to sources, the UML has nearly finalized its list of candidates. For the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, the party is considering Govinda Nepali or Sudhir Kumar Paudel. For the Ministry of Agriculture, the names of Laxman Pandey or Shyamraja Mahat are under discussion.

Bhim Karki is almost certain to be appointed as the Minister of Health. It is understood that Devka Pahari or Yashoda Rimal are being considered for the Ministry of Tourism. Currently, the ministerial positions are held by Prakash KC (Physical Infrastructure), Padya GC Shrestha (Agriculture), Krishna Pathak (Health), and Mitralal Basyal (Tourism).

The Nepali Congress is also in the process of selecting its ministerial candidates. Sources indicate that Nanda Prasad Neupane, Ashok Kumar Shrestha, Drona Kumar Kunwar, Bikal Sherchan, and Rekha Gurung are among those being discussed.

Discussions regarding the final names are ongoing. Currently, the Congress holds the portfolios for Social Development, Youth and Sports (Bindu Kumar Thapa), Finance (Dr. Takraj Gurung), and Forest and Environment (Bhesh Bahadur Paudel).

It is reported that the cabinet reshuffle is expected to take place soon. Surendra Raj Pandey of the Nepali Congress serves as the Chief Minister of Gandaki with the support of the CPN (UML).

Lawmakers from both parties have been consistently demanding a change in ministerial leadership during their respective party meetings.