Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday said that Minister for Education, Science and Technology Bidya Bhattarai resigned from her post due to health reasons, not because of differences or lack of support from his leadership.

Speaking at an event marking the 76th anniversary of the Nepal Communist Party, Oli dismissed reports that Bhattarai’s resignation stemmed from dissatisfaction.

“She is the minister I appointed and have been working closely with. It’s a big ministry. She has been unwell lately, and that’s why she resigned. There is no reason for unnecessary speculation,” Oli said.

Bhattarai tendered her resignation amid rising tensions with Oli and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, and as thousands of public school teachers continued their protest in Kathmandu, demanding pay parity and the passage of the School Education Bill.

While Oli maintained that the resignation was due to health issues, sources close to Bhattarai said she had fully recovered and was frustrated by the government’s unwillingness to address teachers’ demands. Meetings with both the finance minister and the prime minister reportedly failed to yield support for her proposals, estimated to cost up to Rs200 billion annually.

Officials said Bhattarai was under growing pressure as teachers refused to return to work without key reforms. Her absence from a recent meeting between Oli and representatives of the Confederation of Nepalese Teachers further highlighted the rift.

Despite Oli’s remarks, ruling party insiders and ministry officials see her resignation as a result of prolonged dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the teachers’ protests.