Nepal’s Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav resigned on Thursday, a day after her controversial remarks over the ongoing cooking gas shortage in the Kathmandu Valley drew criticism from the private sector. Yadav tendered her resignation to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, according to her secretariat. She became the third minister to leave the Shah-led Cabinet since Shah was appointed Prime Minister on March 27.

Yadav’s resignation followed comments made at a meeting of the Industry Committee of Nepal’s House of Representatives on Wednesday. She had blamed private LPG bottlers for the continued shortage and said supplies would not become smooth until industrialists were brought to heel. Her remarks drew criticism from business organisations, which argued that the government should focus on resolving disruptions rather than placing responsibility on businesses.

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal’s apex private-sector body, described Yadav’s remarks as highly objectionable, irresponsible and unfortunate. The organisation said LPG tanker movement had been disrupted by landslides along the Prithvi Highway, including a major landslide in the Krishnabhir area. It also said businesses and the government had been cooperating in rescue, relief and the supply of essential goods following the natural disaster that struck the country on August 26.

Also Read: Bhupesh Baghel Steps Down From Congress Role In Punjab

The controversy comes amid wider questions over ministerial conduct in the Shah-led government. On April 9, Prime Minister Shah dismissed then Labour Minister Deepak Kumar Sah on the recommendation of his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Former Home Minister Sudhan Gurung resigned on April 22 over alleged business links with businessman Deepak Bhatta, who was in police custody in a money laundering investigation, but Shah later reappointed him after a government committee reportedly found no evidence of improper financial dealings.

Yadav is not the first minister in the Shah-led Cabinet to face criticism over remarks concerning the business community. Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal had previously faced criticism after remarks during an inspection of the Nagdhunga-Mugling road project. Prime Minister Shah, during an election rally in February when he was a candidate, had also used strong language while discussing measures that could be taken to ensure road projects were completed on time.

The latest resignation adds to the political pressure surrounding the government as it deals with the LPG shortage and the disruption of essential supplies. The FNCCI has warned that publicly blaming industrialists and traders could affect business confidence and weaken trust between the government and private sector. The government now faces the task of addressing the supply disruption while managing relations with businesses involved in distributing essential commodities.

Also Read: Nepal Observes National Mourning 13 Days After August 26 Flash Floods