KATHMANDU: Activist Bablu Gupta has become the youngest minister in the Sushila Karki-led interim government.
Gupta, who has been active in leading various social movements, was appointed Minister for Youth and Sports at the age of 28, setting a record as the youngest minister in Nepal’s history.
Originally from Siraha, Gupta assumed office on Sunday. Known for his calm and humble nature, those close to him describe him as polite and compassionate. According to his citizenship certificate, he was born on Falgun 25, 2054 BS.
Soon after taking office, Minister Gupta announced his first decision — to live-stream all meetings held under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Gen-Z movement that took place on Bhadra 23 and 24 led to the fall of the then KP Sharma Oli government.
Subsequently, a new government was formed under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki on Bhadra 27, and Gupta’s appointment marks the third expansion of this cabinet.
Previously, Abdul Khan of the Janamat Party, who became a minister at age 35 in Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s cabinet in 2079 BS, held the record as the youngest minister.
Before that, Mohammad Istiyak Rai had served as Labour Minister at age 31 in 2068 BS. Rai, from Jaisapur-5, Banke, began his political career at 15 and played an active role in the Madhes Movement of 2063 BS as part of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Nepal.
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