Madhesh CM Dismisses 8 State Ministers Amid Criticism Over Jumbo Cabinet

In a significant political shake-up, Madhesh Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh has dismissed eight state ministers from his cabinet following widespread criticism over the expansion of what was dubbed a “jumbo cabinet.” The decision was made with the consent of the ruling parties at the Centre.

Chief Minister Singh, who took office on June 18, had initially appointed eight state ministers from four different parties. However, his recent move on August 6 to increase the number of ministers to 20 sparked intense backlash from various quarters, including opposition parties and the public. The expansion led to protests, notably from the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), which condemned the move as excessive and unnecessary.

In response to the mounting pressure, Chief Minister Singh has now removed three ministers from the UML, two from the Nepali Congress, two from the Janamat Party, and one from the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LOSPA). The dismissed ministers include Rekha Thakur, Neelam Kumari Rajak, Rambabu Yadav, Shambhu Shah, Mohammad Zaid Alam, Keshav Rai, Sharda Devi Thapa, and Ranju Kumari Mandal Khang.

The dismissal is seen as an attempt by Chief Minister Singh to address the growing discontent and restore public trust in his administration. The move also reflects the influence and pressure exerted by the central leadership to ensure a more streamlined and effective state government.

The political landscape in Madhesh remains dynamic as Chief Minister Singh navigates the challenges of governance while balancing the interests of various political factions.