Lumbini Province Chief Minister to Continue in Office

Lumbini Province’s Chief Minister, Chetanarayan Acharya, will continue in office following a meeting between top leaders of the CPN-UML party.

The decision was made after a discussion between CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Vice-Chairman Bishnu Paudel, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Chief Minister Acharya, and former Chief Minister Lila Giri in Bhaktapur’s Gundu.

The CPN-UML had been divided over who should lead the province, with Lila Giri, Bhoj Prasad Shrestha, and Bhumi Shwar Dhakal all vying for the top spot. The party had agreed to form a coalition government with the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), but the process had been stalled due to disagreements over the distribution of ministries and ministerial responsibilities.

With the CPN-UML now deciding to continue with Chief Minister Acharya, the party will begin formal discussions with the NCP on the allocation of ministries, ministerial responsibilities, and a joint work plan for the government.

The number of ministries has already been restructured, and the two parties will now begin internal discussions on which ministries each party will control.

Currently, the provincial government has five CPN-UML ministers, including Chief Minister Acharya. According to the agreement, the NCP will now join the government, and the cabinet will be restructured within a few days.