Key Takeaways:

• Nine NCP lawmakers have signed to remove Bhatta as parliamentary party leader; 11 signatures needed in the 53-member assembly
• Dissatisfaction stems from ministerial appointments and alleged intervention by party centre in provincial decisions
• Lawmakers from former Maoist Centre and Nagarik Unmukti factions are leading the campaign, seeking support from Unified Socialist members
• Leadership dispute threatens budget presentation by end-September, risking instability in the NCP-UML coalition government

DHANGADHI, SEPTEMBER 10 The Sudurpaschim provincial government is facing a leadership challenge less than three weeks after its formation, with ruling-party lawmakers working to remove Chief Minister Khagaraj Bhatta as parliamentary party leader. The move comes as the province remains without a budget, affecting routine administration and development activities. Instead of focusing on governance and budget passage, some ruling-party lawmakers have begun holding separate meetings to gather support for a change in leadership. Bhatta was appointed chief minister on August 14 after becoming the parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP). Dissatisfaction over ministerial selection has now escalated into an effort to replace him. The NCP holds 20 lawmakers in the 53-member Provincial Assembly, excluding the Speaker and one suspended member. At least 11 lawmakers are required to remove the parliamentary party leader, while nine have already signed in support, according to the dissatisfied faction. Lawmakers from the former CPN (Maoist Centre) and a faction of the Nagarik Unmukti Party are active in the campaign, with efforts under way to bring in members from the Unified Socialist faction. Critics accuse Bhatta of failing to maintain transparency in ministerial appointments and of prioritising personal political equations. NCP lawmaker Shiv Singh Oli said signatures were collected to warn the chief minister after he allegedly moved ahead without following agreements made during government formation. The involvement of experts sent from the party centre in budget preparation has also drawn criticism, with lawmakers linking the issue to provincial authority and federalism. The leadership dispute comes as Bhatta's government prepares to present the budget by the end of September. A successful bid to remove him as parliamentary leader could directly affect his chief ministership and force a renegotiation of the NCP-UML power-sharing arrangement, potentially pushing the province into another round of political instability.