New Team Takes Charge: Gandaki Province Cabinet Reshuffled

The Gandaki Provincial Government has undergone a significant transformation as Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey reshuffled his cabinet to strengthen the coalition between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML. In a formal ceremony held in Pokhara, eight new ministers were sworn into office by Province Head Dilli Raj Bhatta, signaling a complete change in the provincial leadership. This move follows a strategic agreement to distribute power equally between the two major parties, with each receiving four ministerial portfolios to ensure balanced representation and political stability within the region.

Under the new arrangement, the CPN-UML members taking on key roles include Govinda Bahadur Nepali, who will lead the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, and Bhim Bahadur Karki, who has been assigned the Health portfolio. Yashoda Rimal will oversee Industry and Tourism, while Laxman Bahadur Pandey takes charge of Agriculture, Land Management, and Cooperatives. On the Nepali Congress side, Jit Bahadur Sherchan has been appointed as the Minister for Finance, Nanda Prasad Neupane for Energy and Water Resources, Namdu Gurung for Forest and Environment, and Rekha Gurung for Social Development, Youth, and Sports.

This reshuffle is widely viewed as an effort to refresh the administration and address the demands of lawmakers from both parties who had been calling for new leadership. By bringing in a mix of experienced and fresh faces, the provincial government aims to accelerate development projects and improve the efficiency of public services. The new cabinet is expected to begin work immediately, with a primary focus on the upcoming provincial budget and addressing local infrastructure needs that have been high on the public agenda.