UML decides to continue Acharya as Chief Minister of Lumbini

BUTWAL: The CPN-UML has decided to continue Chet Narayan Acharya as the Chief Minister of Lumbini.

Despite recent speculation that the UML would replace the chief minister following its new alliance with the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) last week, the party has decided to retain Acharya in the provincial government.

The decision was made at a meeting held at UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Bhaktapur on Thursday. Vice Chairperson Bishnu Prasad Paudel, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Chief Minister Acharya and former Chief Minister Lila Giri were also present at the meeting.

With this, the UML and the NCP will now begin talks on the sharing of portfolios. The provincial government on Wednesday decided to reduce the number of ministries from 12 to eight.

Currently, the provincial cabinet has five members from the UML, including Chief Minister Acharya. Acharya will expand his cabinet after the NCP picks its four ministerial nominees.

The 87-member Lumbini Province Assembly currently has 83 members. The UML is the largest party in the provincial assembly with 29 seats, followed by the Nepali Congress (27) and the NCP (13). The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has four seats, the Janamat Party has three, LSP Nepal has two, and JSP Nepal and Rastriya Janamorcha each have one seat.

The provincial assembly also has one independent member.