A minister in Sudurpaschim Province has refused to resign despite being instructed to do so by Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah, deepening tensions within the ruling coalition.

Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Rameshwar Chaudhary, appointed from the Nagarik Unmukti Party in May, was asked by Shah in a June 17 phone call to step down over alleged misconduct, including breaching financial discipline and making appointments without consultation.

Chaudhary has rejected the call and challenged the chief minister to remove him. “If he can, let him sack me,” party’s insiders quoted him as saying.

Days after the instruction, Shah has not taken further action. His political adviser Jeetu Upadhyaya said the chief minister was “seriously discussing” the matter.

Nagarik Unmukti Party chair Ranjita Shrestha said the party would not ask Chaudhary to resign. “If the chief minister wants to remove him, that is his decision,” she said.

Shah’s Nepali Congress, in alliance with the CPN-UML and Nagarik Unmukti, leads the provincial government. The chief minister has the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers.