Former Nepal Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who has accepted the Gen Z protesters' request to serve as the country's interim Prime Minister following mass demonstrations that ousted the Sharma Oli government, praised India’s support and expressed a favourable impression of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Main Modi ji ko namaskar karti hoon (I greet Prime Minister Modi). I have a very good impression of Modi ji," she told CNN-News18, also confirming she was prepared to take on the role. “The Gen-Z group led the recent movement in Nepal and they trusted me to lead the government for a short period,” she said.
A wave of youth-led protests, dubbed the 'Gen Z revolution,' forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign on Tuesday, leading to the collapse of his Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) government. Initially sparked by a government ban on several social media platforms, the demonstrations have since grown into a broader anti-corruption movement, calling for a complete overhaul of the political system.
Amidst the political vacuum, the Gen Z movement has proposed a new direction for the country. In a nationwide virtual meeting, thousands of young people nominated former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to lead an interim government.
If chosen to lead the government, Karki said her first priority would be to honour those who lost their lives during the demonstrations. At least 30 people were killed and over 1,000 injured when the army opened fire on the protesters.
“Our immediate focus will be something for the young people who died during the protest,” she noted, stressing that young members of the movement -- girls and boys -- voted in favour of her leadership. “I have accepted their request to lead the interim government.”
Reflecting on Nepal’s turbulent political history, Karki acknowledged the challenges ahead. “There have always been problems in Nepal from the past. The situation is very tough now. We will work together for the development of Nepal,” she said. “We will try to establish a new beginning for the country.”
Speaking on India’s historical role in supporting Nepal, she said, "There is immense respect and affection for India. India has always been a great help to Nepal".
Karki, 72, holds a distinguished place in Nepal's history as the first woman to serve as Chief Justice, a position she held from 2016 to 2017. She is widely respected for her "zero-tolerance" stance on corruption and her reputation as a fearless and independent jurist.
Intensive talks to determine Nepal’s future were underway at the Army Headquarters on Thursday morning, even as the Himalayan nation gradually returned to normalcy. The army extended prohibitory orders in three districts of the Kathmandu Valley, while allowing public movement during designated time windows.
Although troops continued to guard the streets, the situation remained largely peaceful across the rest of the country, except for two deaths and over a dozen injuries caused by army gunfire during a thwarted prison escape southeast of Kathmandu.
Residents were seen rushing to markets, shops, and grocery stores to buy essential supplies as soon as the curfew was lifted. Roads remained relatively empty, still bearing visible scars from the recent violence.
Source: India Today