Decision on CM Kamal Bahadur Shah’s resignation likely by April 27

Dhangadhi: Intense discussions have begun within the Nepali Congress regarding the resignation of Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah. Nepali Congress Provincial Assembly member Diwan Singh Bista has said that the issue of Chief Minister Shah’s resignation will be finalized by April 27.

Chief Minister Shah, currently serving his second term, was reappointed on July 20, 2081. Earlier, he first became Chief Minister on July 26, 2079, and resigned in Chaitra 2080 after his government fell into a minority.

At present, the Shah-led government is in operation in the 53-member Sudurpaschim Province Assembly with the support of 18 Congress and 11 UML MPs. While there is ongoing discussion within UML regarding changes in the power equation, preparations for leadership change are also underway within the Congress.

According to Provincial Assembly member Bista, discussions are being held on the issue of voluntary resignation, taking into account the Chief Minister’s health condition rather than removal. “His health condition is not good, he is using a wheelchair,” Bista said. “We are discussing whether he should resign. It will be finalized by April 10.”

Whether Chief Minister Shah resigns or not, voices within the Congress are also being raised in favor of changing the parliamentary party leadership. It is being said that changes in the central power balance of the Congress after the special general convention have also influenced discussions on leadership change in the far west.

According to a Congress leader, the political distance between Chief Minister Shah and General Secretary Gagan Thapa has been increasing. “Chief Minister Shah had repeatedly made statements that Gagan Thapa could not be considered the president,” the leader said. “Reports regarding difficulties in the implementation of party programs in the province have also reached the leadership.”

A few days ago, some provincial Congress lawmakers had reached Kathmandu and met General Secretary Thapa demanding a change in the Chief Minister. According to sources, Thapa had indicated that he would organize a program in Dhangadhi before moving forward with further decisions.

However, removing Chief Minister Shah from the position of parliamentary party leader is not considered easy immediately. Most of the 18 Congress provincial MPs are considered close to former President Sher Bahadur Deuba. However, recently, some MPs within the Deuba faction have also begun supporting a leadership change.

Provincial Assembly members Padam Bahadur Shahi and Man Bahadur Rawal are also reported to be dissatisfied with Chief Minister Shah. Discontent within the party is said to have increased after the Forest Ministry was retained under his leadership for a long time and later Shivraj Bhatta of the Congress was appointed as minister. The Congress-led government is currently in operation in Sudurpaschim with the support of UML.