Phidim, May 7

Province 1 Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai today accused some media houses of trying to drag him into controversy on the issue of provincial headquarters.

Speaking at a press meet organised in Panchthar headquarters Phidim, CM Rai claimed that some media had reported that the province capital was being shifted to Itahari from Biratnagar. “They have reported that I am working to shift the headquarters from Biratnagar to Itahari, which is false,” Rai added.

Rai said that he was making efforts to resolve the issues of provincial capital and the province’s name through discussion and consultation with all parties. “Some media have tried to drag me into unnecessary dispute saying that some government offices including CIAA were being inspected secretly in Itahari for the purpose of shifting the headquarters,” Rai alleged.

Rai held that the central government should provide sufficient budget and programme for the prosperity and development of all seven provinces. He argued that reduction of the rights of  provinces might put the federalism in peril. He urged the central government to provide all rights to the province.