POLITICAL CHANGE IN 48 HOURS
In the past 75 years, Nepal has witnessed several political movements, largely achieving their objectives of toppling the existing regime within months. This time, Nepal’s political scene was completely transformed in less than 48 hours.
On Sep 12, Nepal appointed its first-ever female prime minister, retired Chief Justice Sushila Karki. Until a few days ago, Ms Karki becoming the prime minister was beyond anyone’s imagination, but she became the youths’ favoured candidate for prime ministership.
Ms Karki is outspoken and bears a clean image. She won the youths’ hearts when she visited hospitals to meet wounded protestors as violence raged on the streets.
The president’s appointment of Ms Karki goes beyond the provisions of Nepal’s constitution on government formation. This is not unusual given the unprecedented protests and the urgency to reinstate political stability.
The chief mandate of Ms Karki’s government is to conduct free and fair elections in six months, on Mar 5, 2026, and hand over to the new government. It also needs to undertake a thorough investigation of the violence, both the killings and the destruction of public and private properties, and bring the culprits to book.
Besides these, perhaps there is little else that the interim government formed for a short period can deliver. Nevertheless, it needs to set examples and lay the foundations for good governance.
The political parties decried the unconstitutional steps taken in dissolving parliament. However, they have been gradually expressing support for the elections. Nepali youths are not against the existing political system. They want to retain its framework, but want better governance and economic equality.
Party leaders may need to step aside, and parties should consider restructuring before contesting the elections. The status quo will invite more unrest. Further confrontation will not help Nepal rise from the ashes.
Puspa Sharma is Visiting Senior Research Fellow at Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore.
