Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Mahabir Pun resigned on Tuesday to focus on his campaign to promote innovation in Nepal, following a trend of ministers stepping down ahead of elections.

Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal confirmed the news on social media, writing, “Mahabir Pun has resigned to focus on his campaign!”

Pun was appointed to the Sushila Karki-led interim government on September 22. His resignation comes after Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, Youth and Sports Minister Bablu Gupta, and Communication and Information Technology Minister Jagdish Kharel also stepped down to contest House of Representatives seats.

A long-time advocate for innovation, Pun founded the National Innovation Centre in 2012 and played a pivotal role in repairing ventilators during the Covid-19 pandemic. He has received international recognition, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, for introducing wireless internet to rural areas.

Meanwhile, Pun said that all the international and national medals he received have been donated to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology through the secretary.

He added that he had attempted to sell these medals to fund the National Innovation Centre and the Birgunj Agricultural Tools Factory, but no one bought them even after four years.

As a result, the medals became government property. Pun also mentioned that he is trying to sell his 28 ropanis of land in Thulakot, Pokhara, to donate to the agricultural tools factory, but it has not been sold yet.