Khadak Raj Paudel also known as Ganess is a Nepalese politician and writer serving as the minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation under the prime minister, Balen Shah.
He is a member of parliament (MP) for Kaski 1 from the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Paudel was born in Majheri Patan, Pokhara.
He got his BA in English Literature from Tribhuvan University. He also holds an MBA from Pokhara University.
Paudel was briefly involved with Naya Shakti in 2016. Paudel contested for mayor of Pokhara as an independent at the 2022 local election and finished fourth.
Paudel was nominated as a central committee member of Rastriya Swatantra Party in January 2026. He was elected to the 7th House of Representatives for Kaski 1 at the 2026 Nepalese general election.