Himal Press 
ITAHARI: CPN (Maoist Center) is preparing to withdraw from the Koshi Province Government.
The party was expected to quit the government right after changes in the power equation at the center on July 1. However, the party has remained part of Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki’s UML-led government until now. It was facing criticism for not leaving the provincial government earlier.
Chief Minister Karki is under pressure to form a new coalition government with the Nepali Congress in line with the federal government. He, however, has been dragging his feet in recalling Maoist Center ministers.
Maoist Center currently has four members, including a minister of state, in Karki’s cabinet. Ganesh Upreti is serving as the Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development, while Rajendra Karki is the Minister for Health and Narayan Bahadur Magar is the Minister for Tourism, Forest and Environment. Likewise, Bandanda Jhangad is the Minister of State for Tourism, Forest, and Environment.
Health Minister Rajendra Karki told Himal Press that Maoist Center ministers are waiting for the Chief Minister’s time to submit their resignations. “We are submitting our resignations later today,” he added.
