Kathmandu [Nepal], September 11 (HBTV): Negotiations are scheduled for Wednesday between the Nepalese Army, President Ram Chandra Paudel, and representatives of Gen Z youth to determine the leadership of an interim government amid ongoing political unrest, The Himalayan Post reported.
According to the report, Gen Z protest leaders have chosen Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as their unanimous nominee for the interim Prime Minister position. Analysts suggest that Wednesday’s discussions are likely to formally endorse this decision.
The talks will begin between Karki’s team and the Army leadership, including Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, and may proceed to the President’s Office at Sheetal Niwas depending on how the situation unfolds.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ has also voiced his support for Karki, strengthening her standing as the candidate of the Gen Z movement.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Shah addressed the younger generation and the broader public, describing the moment as ‘unprecedented’ and urging citizens to act with maturity and responsibility.
‘I fully support your proposal to lead this interim/electoral government by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. I would like to sincerely respect your understanding, wisdom, and unity. This shows how mature you are,’ Shah wrote.
He emphasised that the country is moving towards the formation of an interim government responsible for organising fresh elections and restoring political stability. Shah encouraged people not to panic but to trust the process.
Sushila Karki made history as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, serving from July 2016 to June 2017. Born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, she is the eldest of seven children. She began her legal career in 1979 after completing her law education in Biratnagar and became a Senior Advocate in 2007.
Karki was appointed as an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court in January 2009 and became a permanent judge in 2010.
Meanwhile, 31 people have been killed and over 1,000 injured in clashes with security forces during the anti-corruption demonstrations across the country, The Kathmandu Post reported.
The protests began on September 8 in Kathmandu and other major cities, including Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj, following the government’s decision to impose a ban on major social media platforms, citing concerns over tax revenue and cybersecurity.
Curfew was imposed in several cities, including Kathmandu, to control the situation, which will remain in force till Friday morning, according to a statement by the Nepalese Army.
Protesters have demanded an end to ‘institutionalised corruption and favouritism’ in governance, calling for greater accountability and transparency in decision-making. Public frustration deepened further when the ‘Nepo Babies’ trend on social media exposed the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children, highlighting the economic disparity between them and ordinary citizens.
(ANI)