Nepal’s Gen Z protesters have put forward former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who is all set to take oath as the interim Prime Minister on Friday around 9 PM. Karki’s selection marks a significant turn in the country’s political upheaval. Raman Kumar Karna, secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, had earlier confirmed that agitators have proposed Karki for the role and will present the recommendation to the Army Chief.
The move comes amid violent unrest across Nepal, where at least 25 people have been killed in the last two days. Nineteen protesters, mostly youths, were killed in firing by security forces outside the Parliament building on Monday. On Tuesday, three policemen were killed by a mob in Koteshwor, Kathmandu, while three more protesters died during clashes with police at Kalimati Police Station.
ALSO READ: Sushila Karki to take oath as Nepal PM tonight
Karki’s name emerged during a virtual meeting of over 5,000 youngsters debating the future leadership of Nepal. While Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah was initially a frontrunner, his unresponsiveness led participants to shift support. “Since he did not take our calls, the discussion shifted to other names. The most support has gone to Sushila Karki,” a Gen Z representative told Nepali media.
Karki, who had asked for at least 1,000 written signatures of support before considering the role, has already received more than 2,500.
From Judiciary to Politics: Who is Sushila Karki
Sushila Karki is widely respected as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, appointed in July 2016. Known for her fearless and incorruptible reputation, she previously served on the 2006 Constitutional Drafting Committee and became a permanent Supreme Court justice in 2010. She led several high-profile cases, including corruption investigations and landmark constitutional rulings.
ALSO READ: Rewriting Constitution, 5 structural reforms and more: What Nepal’s Gen Z protestors want
Beyond the bench, Karki has authored Nyaya, an autobiographical work, and Kara, a novel based on her imprisonment during the Panchayat regime.
If she accepts the protesters’ proposal, her next steps would involve meeting Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and seeking approval from President Ram Chandra Poudel. Meanwhile, Gen Z activists are actively voting on Discord to finalise their choice for Nepal’s transitional leadership, with Karki currently leading the poll.
