Kathmandu: Nepal’s Gen Z protesters have nominated former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as their preferred candidate to lead an interim government following violent demonstrations that forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign. The decision came after a representative of the youth-led movement, known as Gen Z, announced the choice on Thursday. The protests, which erupted over a now-reversed social media ban and widespread corruption, have left the Himalayan nation grappling with its worst unrest in two decades.
On Wednesday, Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel met with Gen Z representatives to discuss the political transition, according to a military spokesperson cited by The Hindu. The army, tasked with restoring order, extended curfew measures in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, allowing limited public movement. The violence, which claimed 30 lives and injured over 1,000, saw protesters set fire to Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the residences of prominent leaders, including Oli’s private home, as reported by PTI.
Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, initially considered a frontrunner for the interim role, endorsed Karki in a Facebook post, urging President Ram Chandra Poudel to dissolve Parliament and form an interim government to preserve what he called a “historic revolution” driven by Gen Z. However, divisions persist among the protesters, with some favoring Shah, as discussions continue on platforms like Discord.
Karki, 73, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, has expressed readiness to lead temporarily to facilitate elections, emphasizing support for families of those killed in the protests, as told to AFP. Despite her selection, some protesters remain skeptical, highlighting the movement’s lack of unity. The army’s role remains pivotal as it navigates negotiations to stabilize Nepal amid ongoing tensions and a fragile political landscape.
Nepal’s Youth Movement Backs Sushila Karki for Interim Leadership
