Gorkha, 17 August
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has told voters in Gorkha to “take back their votes” if they expect him to transform the area within four months.
Gurung made the remarks during an interaction with voters in Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality-9 of Gorkha on Sunday.
Gurung, who was elected to the House of Representatives from Gorkha-1, had met voters in Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality on Saturday and Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality on Sunday as part of his previously announced programme to visit his home district every month.
During Sunday’s meeting, local residents reminded Gurung of promises he had made during the election campaign, including a commitment to allocate a budget for a laboratory in the ward.
Rastriya Swatantra Party ward secretary Khopendra Lamichhane reminded Gurung that he had promised to allocate funds for the laboratory when he visited the area during the election campaign. Gurung acknowledged the commitment.
When asked why the budget had not been allocated as promised, Gurung said voters should not expect results within four months and told them to “take back their votes” if they were dissatisfied.
A video of Gurung’s remarks has gone viral on social media.
During the interaction, a participant wearing a cap asked Gurung about the budget for the laboratory, reminding him that he had even called the ministry secretary from the area during the election campaign.
“You had said that you would arrange the budget for the laboratory according to the needs here in the upcoming budget. But it is nowhere to be seen in the budget,” the participant said.
Gurung responded that there were many small budget demands and said it would be impossible to include all of them.
“We have asked for a list from here. We need a list of what should be included,” he said.
Another participant sitting beside Gurung said the issue had been discussed with the ministry secretary only recently.
However, the questioner remained unconvinced and said local residents were increasingly frustrated.
“People in the village are about to kill us. Sudan Gurung said this yesterday, and now they are asking where it is,” he said.
Gurung then said his government had only recently brought its first budget and that he could not transform everything within four months.
“It has only been four months since the first budget came from our side. You just need the work to be done, don’t you? I cannot transform everything in four months. Take back your votes,” Gurung said.
The remark prompted laughter among participants.
One participant responded, “You should have said this before. We already elected you.”
Gurung then said he had been clear about his position and asked voters to judge him over his full five-year term.
“If you cannot trust me, don’t elect me. Watch me for five years. At least I have had the courage to say this,” he said.
Gurung added that only around 15 to 20 days had passed since the budget process began and said immediate demands could not necessarily be fulfilled.
