Nepal’s Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigns over financial irregularities

BD Digest Report

Nepal’s Home Minister Sudan Gurung has resigned on Wednesday (April 22) amid allegations of financial irregularities, less than a month after coming to power.

Gurung, a leading figure in the Gen-G protests that led to the overthrow of Nepal’s government last September, said he was resigning to ensure a fair investigation.

“I am resigning from the post of Home Minister from today. For me, morality is greater than position and there is no power greater than public trust… Public life must be transparent, leadership must be accountable,” Gurung, 38, wrote on social media.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s press advisor Deepa Dahal confirmed the acceptance of Gurung’s resignation, who took office on March 27. She said that the Prime Minister himself will continue to hold the charge of the Home Ministry until a new appointment is made.

Gurung participated in protests that began over a temporary ban on social media, but later grew into a movement fueled by public discontent over corruption and a weak economy.

At least 76 people were killed and more than 2,500 injured in two days of violence in September.

Gurung joined the Rashtriya Swadhin Party (RSP) in January this year and was elected to parliament after the party won a landslide victory in the March elections.

Gurung made headlines a day after taking office by ordering the arrest of the former prime minister and former home minister for their alleged involvement in suppressing protests in September.