BUTWAL: The ruling coalition in Lumbini Province has effectively collapsed after all five Nepali Congress ministers resigned, paving the way for a new government led by the CPN-UML and NCP alliance.

The ministers submitted their resignations to Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary today, a day after the UML and NCP reached an agreement to jointly form the provincial government.

The outgoing ministers include Finance Minister Dhanendra Karki, Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Saroj Thapa, Industry, Tourism and Transport Minister Prachanda Bikram Neupane, Social Development Minister Janmajaya Timilsina, and Forest and Environment Minister Devkaran Kalwar.

The Nepali Congress is now preparing to formally withdraw its support from Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya, ending the Congress-UML coalition that has governed the province. Once the withdrawal is completed, the UML and NCP are expected to stake their claim to form a new government, reshaping the political landscape in Lumbini Province.