In what has emerged as a dramatic turn of events in Nepal’s evolving political crisis, a group of youths staged a protest outside the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar at midnight, demanding resignation of newly appointed Prime Minister Sushila Karki.
Karki was appointed as the first female Prime Minister of Nepal on April 12 upon the recommendation of the Sudhan Gurung-led ‘Hami Nepal’ group.
They staged the protest after the news came out that Prime Minister Karki appointed former Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority Kulman Ghising as Minister for Energy, Rameshwor Khanal as Minister for Finance, and Om Prakash Aryal as Minister for Home Affairs without consulting the youth leaders who led the anti-corruption protests that toppled the KP Sharma Oli-led government.
Aryal is the legal advisor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor, Balen Shah. He had played the role of negotiator with the Gen Z protests.
During the protest, also attended by family members of those who lost their lives during the protests, chanted various slogans like "Prime Minister should resign," and "Justice for the victims’ family," among others.
Gurung said, “People are powerful. No one can stop us. If we have the power to choose leaders, we also have the power to take them down,” adding “While I was managing bodies, Om Prakash Aryal was hatching a conspiracy to become the minister,” Gurung said.
The ministers participating in the Karki-led interim government will take the oath of office and secrecy on Monday.
The President Office informed that newly appointed ministers will be administered the oath of office and secrecy at 11 am today.
Former Chief Justice Karki was appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal’s interim government after days of anti-corruption protests that claimed lives of 72 people and forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign and flee his official residence in Baluwatar. With this appointment, she has made history by becoming the first female Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation.
According to Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, 59 protestors, 10 prisoners, and three security personnel were killed during the protests.
He said that 133 protesters and 57 security personnel, who were injured in the protests, are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
He said that Prime Minister Karki has decided to provide free treatment to the injured, declare those who died in the protests as martyrs, and provide them with Rs 1 million each.
In accordance with Article 61 (4) of the Constitution, President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Karki as the head of the interim government in consultation with the Nepal Army Chief and representatives of Gen Z who spearheaded the protests.
Known as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, Sushila Karki is admired for her clarity of thought, firm stance, and integrity during her tenure in the judiciary.
Karki served as the Chief Justice of Nepal from July 11, 2016, to June 6, 2017.
In April 2017, some lawmakers had attempted to impeach Karki accusing her of breaching the Constitution and failing to bear her duties, but the effort failed.
