POKHARA, 2 Sept.: Rajeev Gurung, widely known as Deepak Manange, resigned from his post following a recent shake-up in the Gandaki Province government.

On Monday, Manange, who was previously the Minister of Physical Infrastructure, was transferred to the Forest Ministry.

However, Manange expressed his dissatisfaction with the transfer, stating, “I don’t want to go to the Ministry of Forestry; that ministry should have been given to my younger brothers!”

Consequently, he submitted his resignation letter to the Chief Minister through his assistant Santosh Adhikari.

Speaking to Journalists on Monday, Manange confirmed his resignation, stating that he had no interest in holding a position merely for ministerial perks.

“I sent my resignation to the chief minister. The ministry of forests and environment in the province holds no real power; why should I be there to manage crofton weed and mugwort?” he said.

Gurung said there is no budget in the Ministry of Forests, and that they don’t get to run the ministry as the center looks after it.

“I’ve already sent my resignation. I won’t join the government now, I’m bored,” Gurung told Reporters “How long should I be minister? I should rest now.”

Gurung said he has asked for the Ministry of Forests and Environment to be given to lawmaker Munindra Jung Gurung, who was elected from lower Manang.

“New boys will also gain experience,” he said.

According to a source at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, Gurung had demanded the Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports during the Cabinet reshuffle. But he was unhappy after the ministry was given to Nepali Congress lawmaker Bindu Kumar Thapa, the source added.

In the meantime, the chief minister approved Manange’s resignation on Monday itself.

The Physical Ministry, which Manange previously handled, has now been assigned to Prakash Bahadur KC of the UML.

Following the restructuring, Chief Minister Pandey expanded the cabinet to nine members, retaining Phanindra Devkota of the Nepal Samajwadi Party and independent MP Rajeev Gurung.

Despite this expansion, Gurung chose to resign, citing the lack of a dynamic ministry as a primary reason.

The UML had initially requested that Devkota and Gurung be allocated to Nepali Congress quotas when they were appointed.