CPN-UML Vice-Chair and outgoing Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung is set to contest the House of Representatives election from Lamjung on Falgun 21. The party’s central secretariat meeting held on Saturday decided to nominate Gurung as its candidate.
Gurung, who has previously served as a federal minister, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, and Federal Communications Minister, has been active in politics since 2043 BS, initially contesting as a people’s candidate in Lamjung. Over his career, he has contested seven elections, winning some and losing others, and is now preparing for his eighth electoral challenge.
A graduate in science, Gurung entered politics during the Panchayat era through the teacher movement and was frequently held in police custody during that period. In 2027 BS, he became District President of the Nepal National Teachers’ Organization and had previously served as Free Student Union Secretary at Ishaneshwar Pramod High School, Bhorletar. He joined the then CPN (UML) in 2037 BS and has served in various party roles, rising to the position of Vice-Chair.
Following the 2062–2063 People’s Movement, Gurung served as Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation under the Nepali Congress-led government headed by Girija Prasad Koirala. In 2064 BS, he won the House of Representatives seat from Lamjung-2 with 19,583 votes. He had previously lost in the 2048, 2051, 2056, and 2070 general elections. In 2074 BS, he was elected to the Gandaki Provincial Assembly and became Chief Minister. During his tenure, he earned recognition as the “brainfather” of Gandaki Province for strengthening provincial structures and establishing Gandaki University. He also implemented the “One House, One Tap” campaign, bringing water to hundreds of thousands of households, and worked to unify provincial authorities.
Even after the fall of his government, Gurung’s political stature and leadership remained prominent. While he could have sought a second term in the provincial assembly, the party nominated him for the House of Representatives, where he was elected and later appointed Communications Minister. Known for his intellectual approach and principled conduct, Gurung is widely regarded as a thoughtful and strategic leader.
Born on Falgun 1, 2014 BS, in Gilung-8, Toksar (now Kholasothar Rural Municipality-9, Toksar, Lamjung) to parents Gangaprasad and Chini Gurung, Gurung remains a key figure in Lamjung politics.
In the 2079 House of Representatives election, Gurung defeated then CPN (Maoist Centre) General Secretary Dev Prasad Gurung while contesting in alliance with the Nepali Congress. This time, he will face strong competition from the Nepali Congress, Maoist, and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) candidates. In 2079, Gurung secured 34,969 votes, defeating main rival Dev Prasad Gurung, who received 31,789 votes, while RSP candidate Dharma KC received 9,029 votes.
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