Another Nepali minister departs from the newly formed government after just one month

Nepal’s Minister of Home Affairs, Sudan Gurung, announced his resignation on Wednesday, citing concerns regarding his investments and other issues. He is the second minister to depart from the newly formed government within a month.

The 38-year-old shared his decision to leave on Facebook, stating that the questions warrant investigation, though he did not elaborate further. “In my view, ethics surpasses position, and there is no greater strength than public trust,” he expressed.

Gurung gained attention after he directed the arrest of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and his home minister Ramesh Lekhak as part of an investigation into their involvement during the crackdown on Gen Z protests last September. “In recent days, I have taken seriously the questions, comments, and public concerns raised by citizens regarding matters related to my shares and other issues,” Gurung stated.

“Gurung has submitted his resignation to the prime minister, who will temporarily oversee the home ministry,” Dipa Dahal, an aide to new Prime Minister Balendra Shah, informed Reuters.

Shah, 35, a rapper who transitioned into politics, assumed the role of prime minister following the success of his three-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party. The party, which campaigned on a platform of combating corruption, ensuring good governance, and promoting transparency, achieved a significant victory in last month’s parliamentary election.

Throughout his three-year tenure as mayor of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, Shah became well-known for his reforms.

Earlier this month, Shah dismissed his labour minister after the Rastriya Swatantra Party ruled that Dipak Kumar Sah had misused “the dignity of his position” to secure his wife’s appointment as a member of the board of directors of the health insurance board.