A section of the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) leaders have criticised the government’s decision on provincial chiefs and temporary provincial capitals.

Speaking at the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Thursday, some NC leaders said that the government’s decision was flawed.

Expressing his dissatisfaction at the government’s choice of temporary provincial headquarters, NC leader Deepak Giri said Dang should have been chosen the headquarters of Province 5.

Disappointed with the government’s announcement of Dhangadi as the capital of Province 7, several NC leaders from Doti have decided to relinquish party responsibilities.

CWC member Kalyan Gurung expressed dissatisfaction over the appointment of provincial chiefs. Arguing that most of the people selected as provincial chiefs have the Panchayat background, he demanded that the government correct the decision. After Gurung started criticising the leadership, party President Sher Bahadur Deuba interrupted him and gave time to another leader to speak. There have been protests in Dang, Doti, Dhankuta and Birgunj following the government’s announcement of temporary headquarters on Wednesday.

A Cabinet meeting held at Baluwatar on Wednesday decided to make Biratnagar temporary headquarters of Province 1. Janakpur has been named the Province 2 capital; Hetauda has been declared the capital of Province 3; Pokhara has been named the capital of Province 4; Butwal the capital of Province 5; Surkhet the Province 6 capital and Dhangadi the Province 7 capital.