HETAUDA: Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, during a meeting with the ministers of Province 3 on Tuesday, has indicated that Heutauda will officially remain the province capital. 

Present at the meeting were Province 3 Chief Minister Dormani Poudel, Speaker Sanu Kumar Shrestha, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Shalikram Jamarkattel, Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives Dawa Darje Lama, Social Development Minister for the province Yuvaraj Dulal, among others. 

According to the ministers and officials present at the meeting, discussions were carried out to keep Hetauda the provincial capital and 'Bagmati' the province name. They further stated, Dahal is of the opinion that the province capital should not be changed at a time when there has been a visible acceleration in development works in the province.

Co-chair Dahal said that a decision to this effect would be taken soon. Dahal wished that decision regarding the capital and province name be concluded soon so that the state government can focus on development works. In this regard, Dahal has committed to providing his support to the provincial assembly and province government.

Addressing the mediapersons, and leaders and cadres of NCP (NCP), after wrapping up the meeting, Dahal emphasised on the separate roles taken on by him and party co-chair KP Sharma Oli to smooth the functioning of the party and the government. As per the decision of a recent meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will look after the government while Dahal will oversee party affairs.

In a different context, Dahal stated, there is enthusiasm among people regarding the upcoming by-elections and that energy would be protected.