KATHMANDU, Sept 10: President Ram Chandra Poudel has appointed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Deepak Kumar Sah as the new Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies upon the recommendation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
Sah succeeds Gauri Kumari Yadav, who resigned from the post earlier Thursday.
Sah, who was elected to the House of Representatives from Sunsari Constituency No. 4, defeated Nepali Congress leader and former minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki by a margin of 16,587 votes. Sah received 42,771 votes, while Karki secured 26,184 votes.
Renuka Sah asks: Why am I being targeted?
A 49-year-old engineer and energy expert, Sah holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pulchowk Engineering Campus and a master’s degree in Natural Resource Development. He has worked in hydropower projects as an engineer, technical expert and manager, with experience in project operation, maintenance, technical inspection and policy management.
Sah also served as a technical auditor at the National Vigilance Centre and has been involved in rural electrification, infrastructure development, community empowerment and technical training for young people.
Sah began his political career with the Janamat Party, where he rose to the position of vice chair. He was later suspended and eventually expelled from the party over alleged factional activities and violations of the party statute.
He subsequently formed the Janaswaraj Party and later registered the Sarvodaya Party, becoming its chair. Ahead of the House of Representatives election, he entered into an electoral understanding with the RSP and contested under the party’s bell symbol.
Yadav’s resignation came a day after she faced criticism over remarks she made at a parliamentary committee meeting regarding LPG suppliers amid an ongoing cooking gas shortage in Kathmandu Valley.
