Dhangadhi, July 3 -- Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah on Thursday sacked Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Minister Rameshwar Chaudhary after the latter defied repeated calls to resign, escalating tensions within the ruling coalition in the province.

Chaudhary, a provincial lawmaker from the Nagarik Unmukti Party, was appointed minister in May.

On June 17, Chief Minister Shah of Nepali Congress had formally requested Chaudhary for his resignation, citing his alleged breach of financial discipline during the budget drafting process and his unilateral appointment of an executive director to the Khaptad Tourism Development and Management Committee without consultation.

Rather than complying, Chaudhary publicly dared ...