Lumbini Province Government Stable Amidst Shifting Alliances

Butwal. Although activities to change governments in other provinces have intensified following the Nepali Congress's decision to break the ruling alliance with CPN-UML in the province, the government in Lumbini Province appears secure for the time being. After the central directive, there was a buzz about changing the government in Lumbini for a few days. However, since Friday, provincial leaders have shown an intention to continue the UML-Congress alliance, making the political activities in Lumbini seem quiet for now. Initially, Congress had prepared to recall its ministers from the government and withdraw its support to the UML-led government. However, unlike the situation in other provinces, an agreement was reached within Congress to make decisions at the provincial level and not have ministers resign immediately, which has halted the government change activities. Amar Singh Pun, the provincial president of Nepali Congress Lumbini, told Ratopati that discussions are ongoing to continue the current power-sharing as much as possible. He said, 'It is better to move forward by implementing the agreement made with UML yesterday. Therefore, we are discussing accordingly for now.' Dilliram Chaudhary, the leader of the Congress parliamentary party, had called an informal meeting a few days ago with the ministers from Congress in the government, the chief whip, and the whip. In that meeting, it was agreed not to have ministers resign immediately and not to bring a no-confidence motion against the provincial government. Jamuna Dhakal, the chief whip of Nepali Congress Lumbini Province, said that there have been no new activities regarding government changes in the province for the past two-three days. She said that after the meeting called by the leader of the Congress parliamentary party, things have been quiet for the past two-three days. Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Chetanarayan Acharya, told Ratopati that discussions are ongoing in the province to maintain the current alliance for the time being. He said, 'We want to maintain the alliance for now. But it depends on what happens from the center.' Chief Minister Acharya said that he is going to Kathmandu today and will meet with leaders there. He said, 'Government change activities will proceed according to the further directives received.' Chief Minister Acharya said that he will meet with UML Chairman and other leaders in Kathmandu and, if time permits, will also meet with some Congress leaders. Since Amar Singh Pun, the provincial president of Nepali Congress Lumbini, is also in Kathmandu, a meeting with him may also take place. CPN (Maoist Centre) is currently the main opposition party in Lumbini Province. If the power equation between Congress and UML changes, CPN (Maoist Centre) is likely to emerge as a decisive force. Indrajit Tharu, the chief whip of CPN (Maoist Centre) Lumbini Province, reacted that his party has a lot of interest in the matter of changing the power equation between Congress and UML. He said that while changes were happening in other provinces, 'discussions have been held equally with both Congress and UML here.' He said, 'However, CPN (Maoist Centre) has not actively pushed for government changes in Lumbini on its own initiative.' He said that the party has not yet made any clear decision on whom to support or what the future strategy will be. If the Congress-UML alliance breaks in Lumbini Province, CPN (Maoist Centre) will become the decisive force and may also get an opportunity to come to power. In Lumbini Province, Chetanarayan Acharya was appointed Chief Minister according to the power equation reached between Congress and UML in July 2081 BS. Currently, ministers from other small parties are also participating in the provincial government along with Congress and UML. The provincial cabinet has 12 members.