Former Gandaki Province Chief Prithviman Gurung has passed away. The Nepali Congress leader died at 8 AM this morning at his residence in Bharatpur-26, Divyanagar.

Gurung, aged 76, had been battling cancer for a long time. He was born on Magh 24, 2006 B.S. in Ward No. 4 of the former Ghalel VDC, now Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality, in Kaski. He later settled in Chitwan.

Gurung, who also served as the former president of the Nepali Congress Chitwan chapter, was appointed the Chief of Gandaki Province on Shrawan 12, 2078 B.S. (July 28, 2021 A.D.). He held the post for nearly 32 months, making him the longest-serving provincial head in Gandaki. He was relieved from the post on Falgun 28, 2080 B.S. (March 11, 2024 A.D.), after which veteran leader Dilliram Bhatt was appointed as the Province Chief of Sudurpashchim.

A resident of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-26, Gurung had also served as the chairperson of the Land Commission in Nawalparasi. During the split in the Nepali Congress, he was the district president of the Democratic Congress led by Sher Bahadur Deuba.

He had been active in politics since his student days and joined the Nepali Congress in 2029 B.S. (1972 A.D.), dedicating himself to the democratic movement. He spent about three years in jail during the struggle against the Panchayat regime. Gurung served as the secretary of Nepali Congress Chitwan for a long time and later successfully completed two terms as the district president. He was also elected as a central member of the party.

While serving as the Province Chief, Gurung was diagnosed with cancer. Despite receiving treatment at various hospitals in Nepal and India, his health did not improve. In his final days, he was kept at home in Divyanagar for rest.

He taught at Prithvi Narayan Campus in 2036 B.S. (1979 A.D.) and was a descendant of martyr Hariprasad Gurung.

Among his two sons, the elder has already passed away. His younger son Aditya and wife Laxmi Prabha survive him. Since his son is currently abroad in Canada, the funeral will be held on Sunday after his arrival.