Prithviman Gurung, former chief of Gandaki Province and Nepali Congress leader, passed away at 8:00 am on Saturday at his residence in Bharatpur Metropolitan City–26, following a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 76.

Gurung, who originally hailed from Lwangghalel in Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski, had resettled in Chitwan. He was appointed as the chief of Gandaki Province on July 27, 2021, and served until March 14, 2024.

A lifelong political figure, Gurung played a key role during the 1990 People’s Movement and held various leadership positions in the Nepali Congress. He had also served as the president of the party’s Chitwan district chapter and chaired the Land Commission in Nawalparasi. During the party split, he remained with the Democratic Congress led by Sher Bahadur Deuba.

He had been undergoing treatment for cancer for several years.

According to family sources, the final rites will be held on Sunday after the arrival of his son from abroad.

President Ramchandra Paudel offered heartfelt condolences, recalling Gurung’s lifelong contributions to the establishment and protection of democracy in Nepal.