KATHMANDU: The government has dismissed Madhesh Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari, according to government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel.

The decision was endorsed by the Cabinet meeting held on Monday evening.

The government has also recommended Dr. Surendralal Karn to the President for appointment as the new Province Chief of Madhesh. Kharel said the move was taken in view of the recent political developments unfolding in the province.

The dismissal comes amid rising controversy after Bhandari, early Monday morning, appointed Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister during a pre-dawn ceremony in a hotel — a step that triggered widespread criticism from multiple sides.