The CPN-UML has decided to replace its ministers in the Lumbini Province government, with the change taking place during the final stage of budget preparation.

Acting on a directive from the party headquarters, ministers Bhumishwar Dhakal, Dinesh Panthi, Khem Saru Magar and Sita Sharma Chaudhary submitted their resignations to the chief minister early Wednesday.

Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya, who leads the UML parliamentary party in Lumbini, is currently heading the provincial government. The Nepali Congress has been pushing for a government change under a prior power-sharing understanding, including leadership rotation.

Earlier attempts in the second week of May to reshuffle ministers were delayed after the Nepali Congress parliamentary party insisted on a full cabinet reshuffle alongside a change in leadership.

Within UML, lawmakers aspiring for ministerial posts had reportedly pressured the party leadership at the centre to initiate the reshuffle. Following this, UML chair KP Sharma Oli directed Chief Minister Acharya to proceed with the resignation process, according to party sources.

Names recommended for new appointments include Dilliraj Bhusal of Gulmi, Ramji Ghimire of Arghakhanchi, Tulsi Prasad Chaudhary of Rupandehi and Ratna Khanal of Banke, party sources said. Among them, Khanal has previously served as a minister for Social Development, while the others are first-time ministerial contenders.

According to UML, priority has been given to lawmakers who have served multiple terms but have not previously held ministerial office.

Chief Minister Acharya said the ministers resigned following direction from the headquarters.

“There was an understanding to assign responsibilities to new colleagues,” he said, adding that the allocation of portfolios would be finalised after further discussions.

He added that the cabinet reshuffle would not affect the ongoing budget preparation process.

The provincial government has decided to reduce the number of ministries to eight from the start of the new fiscal year, a decision also reflected in its policy documents.