Kathmandu, April 25 -- The change in the federal government last month stirred up politics in the provincial capitals, leading sub-national governments to change in quick succession. As the central coalition was altered, new political alliances emerged in the provinces too. However, forming new ruling coalitions has been more difficult than dismantling the existing ones, as the struggles of the newly appointed chief ministers show.

The chief minister of Lumbini Province has split a ministry and increased the number of ministries to 11 from the existing 10 to address demands of ruling parties for ministerial berths.

The Jokh Bahadur Mahara-led government made the decision from a Cabinet meeting of the Lumbini Province on Wednesday.

Coal...