Jangilal Ray Loses Health Ministry Position in Madhesh Province Cabinet Reshuffle

Sarlahi. With the cabinet reshuffle of the Madhesh Province government, Jangilal Ray has lost his position in the Ministry of Health and Population. Ray, who was confident until the last moment that he would remain in his ministerial post, was startled when he was suddenly asked to leave on Tuesday evening.

Ray, who participated in the cabinet meeting that lasted for about four hours, appeared normal and relaxed throughout the meeting. Even while discussions were ongoing about government expansion, ministry allocation, and making future activities effective, he did not receive any indication that he would be removed. Due to his close relationship and mutual trust with Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav, he believed his position was secure.

After Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa, who played an active role in forming the three-party alliance, publicly indicated that the government would proceed under the leadership of Chief Minister Yadav, Ray had assessed that there would be no change in ministers from Congress. Even though it was almost certain that Congress would receive the Chief Minister post and five ministries according to their party's status in the Provincial Assembly, he believed that his ministry might change but he would not have to leave the government.

According to sources, after the cabinet meeting ended, Chief Minister Yadav's behavior suddenly changed. As he did not engage in easy conversation as before, Ray understood the political 'message'. A short while later, Chief Minister Yadav asked him to leave his post, citing the need to accommodate disgruntled groups within the party.

For some time now, a group of disgruntled provincial assembly members within Congress has been active. They have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's working style and have held discussions with the party leadership multiple times. The group also demanded representation in the government from their side. A few days ago, during a visit to Bardibas, disgruntled MPs pressured President Thapa to include one person from their faction in the cabinet.

According to sources, on Tuesday afternoon, President Thapa telephoned Chief Minister Yadav and instructed him to remove Ray and appoint Nagendra Sah as the Minister of Health and Population. Although Chief Minister Yadav asked for a few days, President Thapa insisted on administering the oath on the same day, after which the decision was immediately implemented.

Following this, Nagendra Sah took the oath of office and secrecy before the Province Chief that evening itself. Sah is seen as a leader close to President Thapa within Congress. He also played an active role in favor of influential leaders of the party in the last House of Representatives election.

On the other hand, former minister Ray has been accused of playing a role against the Congress candidate in his own constituency since the past. The party had also sought an explanation from him on the same matter. With the recent cabinet reshuffle, the internal power balance within Congress, the pressure from the disgruntled group, and the intervention of the central leadership have all come to the surface at once.