Candidate watch: Shree Gurung from Kathmandu-5

Shree Gurung, 43, is a multimedia entrepreneur, policy advocate, and social innovator affiliated with the Ujyalo Nepal Party. He holds a doctoral degree in Digital Marketing from the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tribhuvan University, and his professional experience spans digital marketing, mass communication and journalism, film production, and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

Gurung’s career highlights include serving as president and CEO of partynepal.com and founding the World Vlog Challenge, a media startup that organises climate media competitions for YouTubers and creators. He directed and produced Challengers Everest, considered Nepal’s first reality show filmed on Mount Everest, and has worked as a freelance music producer and film director.

His public service experience includes serving as project chief of the Durbarmarg Development Board, leading infrastructure initiatives such as solar street light installation. 

He is also the founder of Clothing Bank Nepal and the founding president of the Tourism Council of Club, Lounge, and Bar. Gurung frequently speaks on AI integration in tourism, advises the Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN), and participates as a panellist in US Embassy youth and creator initiatives.

Politically, Gurung contested the 2022 House of Representatives election from Kathmandu-5 as an independent candidate, finishing fifth overall and securing 2,769 votes—the highest among independent candidates in the constituency. 

Currently, he serves as a central committee member and key political strategist in the Ujyalo Nepal Party. He has not previously held elected office or legislative roles.

Electoral and legislative record

• 2022 House of Representatives candidate, Kathmandu-5: Secured the highest votes among independents (2,769)
• Party role: Central committee member and political strategist, Ujyalo Nepal Party
• No prior elected or legislative positions

Policy and legislative identity

Gurung’s platform prioritises economic autonomy through domestic growth, job creation, and institutional modernisation. He proposes generating 500,000 jobs in tourism, energy, agriculture, and industry, attracting 3.5 million tourists annually, and increasing youth entrepreneurship funding from 10 lakhs to 2 crores.

At the legislative level, he supports lowering minimum investment thresholds, streamlining the Single Window System for investors, reforming rigid labour laws for seasonal tourism and high-tech industries, decentralising authority for PPP projects to local wards, and mandating industry-led curriculum updates in Digital Marketing, AI, and Sustainable Tourism. He has also proposed discussions on electoral reforms for more stable geography- and population-based representation.

Constituency-specific priorities in Kathmandu-5 include scaling the Durbarmarg solar lighting model, promoting tourism via digital marketing and VR tools, and establishing startup zones with tax incentives for youth-led technology ventures.

Recognitions and achievements

• Founder and CEO, World Vlog Challenge (impact-driven climate media competitions)
• Director/producer of Challengers Everest, Nepal’s first reality show filmed on Mount Everest
• Founder, Clothing Bank Nepal
• Advisor, Robotics Association of Nepal; panellist in US Embassy youth initiatives

Controversies

None publicly reported

Top priority if elected

• Advance the vision of “Atmanirbhar Nepal” (Self-reliant Nepal)
• Economic liberalisation: Lower investment thresholds, streamline the Single Window System, reduce income tax to 10%, provide 20% tax exemptions for new startups, reform labour laws, decentralise PPP authority to local levels
• Tourism and infrastructure: Attract 3.5 million tourists annually, modernise east–west highways, strengthen tourism-driven economic growth
• Technology, energy, and innovation: Promote emerging technologies, establish policies for crypto mining and AI/data hubs, position Nepal as a green energy nation
• Agriculture: Provide free seeds, fertilisers, and interest-free loans for farmers
• Education and governance modernisation: Mandate industry-led curriculum reforms, collaborate with universities, introduce AI-driven digital citizen services and rating systems

Major concerns

• Chronic brain drain and high dependency on remittance-driven economic growth
• Political instability and corruption limiting national development

Previous experiences that best prepare him for the role

• Project Chief, Durbarmarg Development Board (led solar street light initiatives)
• Founder and CEO roles in multimedia and digital ventures
• Leadership in tourism and AI integration advocacy
• 2022 House of Representatives candidate (highest vote among independents in Kathmandu-5)

Top five legislative priorities for amendment

• Lower investment thresholds and streamline the Single Window System for investors
• Reform labour laws for seasonal tourism and high-tech industries
• Decentralise PPP authority to local wards for infrastructure projects
• Mandate industry-led curriculum updates in Digital Marketing, AI, and Sustainable Tourism
• Expand tourism, startup, and green energy initiatives across Kathmandu-5