Kavrepalanchok, August 4
Shailendraman Bajracharya of the Hamro Nepali Party (Hanepa) has been appointed Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development in the Bagmati Province government.
Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya inducted Hanepa into the provincial government as preparations were underway for the formation of a new power-sharing government between the CPN-UML and CPN.
Former Physical Infrastructure Development Minister Binu Rayamajhi Paudel resigned from the post before Bajracharya’s appointment. According to reports, Paudel stepped down at the direction of Chief Minister Baniya, allowing Hanepa to join the government.
Hanepa’s decision to join the Nepali Congress-led provincial government has created a new political challenge for the UML-CPN alliance. The alliance had reportedly been considering partnering with Hanepa if it failed to secure the support of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
Hanepa holds two seats in the 104-member Bagmati Provincial Assembly.
A minimum of 53 lawmakers is required to secure a majority in the assembly. Under the UML-CPN power-sharing agreement, the alliance has agreed that the UML will lead the government in Bagmati Province.
