UML Joins Bagmati Provincial Government, Appoints Economic Affairs Minister

The CPN-UML party has officially joined the Bagmati provincial government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shalikram Jammakattel of CPN (Maoist Centre). In a significant move, UML’s Jagannath Thapaliya has been appointed as the Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning for the province, marking his second term in this role.

The oath-taking ceremony for Thapaliya was administered by Province Head Yadav Sharma on Saturday. Thapaliya, a UML lawmaker, brings experience to the position, having previously served as the economic affairs minister since January 10, 2023.

This appointment follows another recent addition to the provincial government, with Shailendraman Bajracharya, a member of the Hamro Nepali Party, being appointed as the provincial minister for culture, tourism, and cooperatives by Chief Minister Jammakattel on Friday.

These developments come against the backdrop of changes in the ruling coalition at the center, prompting the Nepali Congress to recall its ministers and withdraw support from the Bagmati government. Additionally, the Hamro Nepali Party withdrew its support on Tuesday, leaving the Jammakattel-led government in a minority.

In a strategic move to regain majority support in the assembly, Jammakattel appointed Bajracharya to the provincial ministerial post on Thursday, demonstrating efforts to stabilize the government amid shifting political dynamics.