Deepak Manange calls it quits following ministry reshuffle

Kathmandu, September 2— Gangster-turned-politician Rajiv Gurung, also known as Deepak Manange, an independent member of the Gandaki Province Assembly, has submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey.

Manange delivered his resignation through his personal secretary, expressing his dissatisfaction with the recent reshuffle of ministries.

Previously, Manange was responsible for the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, which has now been reassigned to the UML party under the new arrangement. Consequently, he has been moved to oversee the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

Manange voiced his discontent with this change, and although he attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers on Monday, he did not assume his new role.

Manange criticized the new setup, asserting that the province has no authority over forestry matters. "The forest department is not under provincial control. There is no need for a forest minister at the provincial level. Forest management remains under the central government," he said.