Himal Press 
CPN-UML Headquarters
KATHMANDU: CPN-UML has withdrawn its support from coalition governments in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces.
Five UML ministers in the Lumbini Province Government submitted their resignations to Chief Minister Jokh Bahadur Mahara on Thursday evening. Minister for Economic Affairs Chet Narayan Acharya, Minister for Urban Development and Water Supply Bhumishwar Dhakal, Minister for Internal Affairs Dinesh Panthi, Minister for Social Development Ratna Khatri, and Minister for Forest and Environment Arjun KC met Chief Minister Mahara at the latter’s residence and submitted their resignations.
With this, Mahara’s government has fallen into the minority.
UML joined the provincial government in the first week of May following the formation of the UML-Maoist Center government at the center.
Likewise, UML’s parliamentary party leader in the Sudurpashchim Province Assembly, Rajendra Singh Rawal, registered a letter of withdrawal of support at Chief Minister Dirgha Sodari’s secretariat on Thursday.
Similarly, three UML ministers in the province – Minister for Economic Affairs Surendra Bahadur Pal, Minister for Internal Affairs Hira Sarki, and Minister for Forest, Environment, and Cooperatives Bir Bahadur Thapa – have submitted their resignations.
They were assigned ministerial portfolios earlier this week only.
The recent development means Chief Minister Dirgha Sodari will have to undergo a floor test within 30 days.
Nepali Congress and CPN-UML announced a new alliance on Monday night, agreeing to form a new coalition government at the center. Likewise, the two parties have shared six out of seven provinces amongst themselves. As per the understanding, NC will form governments in Bagmati, Gandaki, and Sudurpashchim provinces, while UML will lead governments in Koshi, Lumbini, and Karnali.
