Congress refuses cabinet reshuffle, putting pressure on PM Oli

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress, the main coalition partner in the government, has decided not to reshuffle its ministers, despite speculation that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli might reorganize the cabinet on completing one year in office.

The decision has added political pressure on the Prime Minister amid ongoing demands from other coalition parties.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel clarified that the party’s top leadership did not discuss any ministerial changes in their recent meeting. “There was no agenda regarding a cabinet reshuffle in today’s meeting,” he said. “While it is natural for the Prime Minister to consider changes requested by other coalition parties such as JSP and LSP, there has been no discussion of reshuffling within our party.”

While Congress remains reluctant to change its ministers, other coalition partners, particularly the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP), have been pressuring the Prime Minister for ministerial adjustments.

The JSP has reportedly submitted names for replacement: recalling Water Resources Minister Pradeep Yadav and Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Nawal Kishor Sudee, and recommending Birendra Mahato and Ranjukamari Jha as their replacements.

Similarly, the LSP has requested the recall of Labor, Employment, and Social Security Minister Sharad Singh Bhandari to appoint Sarvendranath Shukla in his place.

As pressure from other coalition partners grew, Prime Minister Oli had hoped that Congress might also agree to some reshuffling to maintain political balance.

However, with Congress expressing satisfaction over its ministers’ performance and refusing changes, the Prime Minister faces increasing political pressure.

Currently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh represents Congress in the cabinet.