Gangster-turned-politician Rajeev Gurung, also known as Deepak Manange, was inducted into the Gandaki provincial government on Monday.

Gandaki Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey appointed Gurung as the Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management. Province Head Dilli Raj Bhatta administered an oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed minister.

Chief Minister Pandey reshuffled his Cabinet by appointing Manange, who quit the CPN (Unified Socialist), as minister. Minister for Agriculture and Land Management Mahendra Dhwaj GC has been assigned additional responsibility for the Ministry of Social Development and Health as well.

Gurung, an independent candidate who was elected unopposed as a provincial lawmaker from Manang Constituency 1 (B), joined the Unified Socialist in December 2022. It’s Manange’s fourth stint as a minister.

The Nepali Congress-led government has been left in the minority after the Maoist Centre pulled out of the government following changes in the ruling coalition at the centre earlier this month.

The Congress holds the largest share in the 60-seat assembly with 27 members, followed by UML with 22, CPN (Maoist Centre) with eight members including the Speaker and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party with two members.

The chief minister now requires the backing of three more assembly members to regain a majority.