CPN (UML) Far-West Province Parliamentary Party Withdraws Support to Congress-Led Provincial Government

Dhangadhi. CPN (UML) Far-West Province Parliamentary Party has withdrawn its support to the Congress-led Far-West Province government. The parliamentary party meeting held on Wednesday decided to withdraw the support given to the government effective from 5 PM, informed parliamentary party leader Rajendra Singh Rawal.

According to him, the support was withdrawn with the conclusion that there is no justification for remaining in the government after the UML ministers were removed from their posts while demanding a rewrite of the budget.

Earlier, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah had dismissed Physical Infrastructure Development Minister Surendra Pal, Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Bir Bahadur Thapa, Home Affairs and Law Minister Hira Sarki, and Physical Infrastructure Development State Minister Nirmala Saud. Shortly thereafter, the UML Parliamentary Party meeting decided to end the political cooperation with the government.

Since the presentation of the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2083/84, UML has been continuously expressing dissatisfaction with the budget. Even while participating in the government, UML provincial assembly members had registered proposals to cut expenditure against the budget, which further deepened the conflict within the ruling coalition.

To resolve the conflict, Chief Minister Shah had also held discussions with the central leadership of the Congress. Although the center suggested continuing dialogue for agreement with UML, no agreement could be reached, after which Chief Minister Shah dismissed the UML ministers and moved forward with efforts for a new political equation.

Meanwhile, the UML Parliamentary Party meeting also passed a condolence motion, offering condolences on the demise of the mother of the party's deputy leader Santosh Sharma Thapa.