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By Our Reporter

Indra Bahadur Baniya’s appointment as Chief Minister of Bagmati Province has not begun with celebration inside his own party, the Nepali Congress. Instead, it has sparked visible friction that’s now turning into a serious test of internal unity and trust. The push to replace Bahadur Singh Lama was less about strategy or performance and more about factional dominance. The speed with which Baniya’s group forced a change, brushing aside the earlier understanding with CPN-UML to wait until February, says a lot about how power struggles are shaping decisions at the provincial level.

Baniya’s rise was backed by a section of Congress that felt sidelined under Lama’s leadership. But what makes the situation more complicated is the way Baniya handled those who helped him take charge. Five ministers from Lama’s government had resigned early, clearing the path for Baniya to claim leadership. Yet, they were excluded from the new cabinet. This has added fuel to the anger within the party, especially among Lama’s loyalists, who now feel betrayed.

Even worse, Lama’s faction has accused Baniya of ignoring an internal deal that promised them a share in the new cabinet. If true, this isn’t just a broken promise, it’s a clear breach of trust that could affect how future agreements are made and honored within the party. Kundanraj Kafle, a former minister and senior figure in Lama’s camp, was vocal about this. His concerns are not just about the reshuffle but about the lack of courtesy and consultation shown by Baniya. In a party that is already dealing with internal divides, such behaviour doesn’t help.

What also stands out is the silence of the party’s central leadership. Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba has not publicly responded, even as Lama’s camp grows increasingly frustrated. Many see this reshuffle as Deuba’s way of asserting control in Bagmati, backing Baniya over Lama. But if this was meant to strengthen Congress’s hand in the province, it may be having the opposite effect. Factions are now more visible, and the gap between them is widening.

The way portfolios are being held also suggests Baniya is in no mood to negotiate just yet. He has kept several key ministries under his control while leaving five cabinet positions unassigned. This move may be tactical, allowing him time to gauge pressure from both inside and outside the party, but it also gives the impression of over-centralization. Holding back appointments without clear reasons only fuels speculation and deepens mistrust.

For a newly appointed chief minister, such an atmosphere is not only politically risky but also disruptive for governance. Instead of showing unity and focus, the Congress party in Bagmati now appears to be fighting itself while trying to work with coalition partner UML. If Baniya and Deuba continue to ignore the concerns raised by Lama’s camp, they risk not just a divided cabinet but a weakened party image, something that could hurt them in future elections.

At the core, this isn’t just a power reshuffle. It’s a test of political maturity within the Nepali Congress. If the leadership sees internal loyalty as dispensable and uses backroom deals as disposable tools, it invites long-term instability. The Bagmati episode is just one province, but the way it’s playing out is a reminder of how factionalism, if left unchecked, can damage party credibility beyond repair.