KATHMANDU
Nepal’s young government is facing a fresh wave of controversy as a second cabinet minister comes under fire for alleged misconduct. Just two weeks after the Labor Minister was sacked for nepotism, Home Minister Sudan Gurung is now facing serious questions regarding his personal finances and business ties.
The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) rose to power recently on a platform of transparency and clean politics. However, reports have emerged linking Gurung to investments shared with Deepak Bhatta, a businessman currently being investigated for money laundering. This connection has triggered calls for a deep-dive investigation from within Gurung’s own party.
The Home Minister has denied any wrongdoing. He argues that his stock holdings were openly declared and that any confusion is simply a matter of how the assets were categorized. “Someone who intends to hide assets does not openly declare over Rs 20 million in investments,” Gurung stated, defending his integrity.
Despite his defense, the pressure is mounting. Critics point out that the previous minister, Deepak Kumar Sah, was dismissed instantly after appointing his wife to a government board. Some party members argue that the allegations against Gurung are even more serious and deserve the same swift action.
The RSP gained massive support from young protesters who were tired of corruption in Nepal. Now, the party faces a difficult test, it must prove to its voters that its promise of “zero tolerance” applies to everyone, regardless of their rank or position in the cabinet.