Kathmandu, Sep 13: Nepal has entered a new chapter in its political history with the swearing-in of Sushila Karki, 73, as the country’s first-ever woman Prime Minister. Karki, who also made history earlier as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Poudel at a ceremony late Friday evening.
Her appointment comes after days of chaos, violence, and the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, whose government collapsed amid the violent Gen-Z protests that have rocked the nation.
Appointed Under “Principle of Necessity”
Although Nepal’s Constitution restricts non-members of the House of Representatives from becoming Prime Minister, Sushila Karki was appointed under the “principle of necessity” — a constitutional workaround used during times of crisis since the 1950 revolution.
Constitutional expert Bipin Adhikari noted that while such appointments raise questions of legality, Karki’s track record of integrity and commitment to the Constitution makes her a credible interim choice.
Gen-Z Protestors Endorsed Karki
The decision to appoint Karki followed intense negotiations between President Poudel, protest leaders, and political stakeholders. Gen-Z activists, who have led the anti-Oli protests demanding accountability and good governance, backed her candidacy over several other proposed non-political figures.
Background: Who is Sushila Karki?
Born in 1952 in Biratnagar, Morang District, Karki hails from a political family inspired by Nepal’s first elected PM, BP Koirala. Despite limited opportunities for women at the time, her parents encouraged her education. She completed her LLB at Tribhuvan University in 1972 and a Master’s in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University in 1975.
Karki’s distinguished career includes:
- Practicing law since 1979 and becoming Senior Advocate in 2007.
- Serving as Supreme Court Judge (2009–2016).
- Becoming Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice in April 2016.
- Delivering landmark verdicts, including the disqualification of Lok Man Singh Karki, the powerful anti-corruption chief, in 2017.
She briefly faced impeachment over a controversial police appointment case, but the Supreme Court overturned the motion, reinstating her as Chief Justice.
National and International Reactions
Former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha praised her “integrity and leadership.” Former PM Baburam Bhattarai welcomed her appointment, saying it was positive that Gen-Z youth chose a “clean and capable” figure to lead the interim government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India also congratulated Karki, calling her appointment a “remarkable example of women empowerment in South Asia.”
Immediate Challenges Ahead
Sushila Karki takes office at a critical juncture:
- Violence Toll: At least 51 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the Gen-Z protests, according to Nepal Police.
- Public Demands: Protestors are demanding accountability, anti-corruption reforms, and good governance.
- Fresh Elections: Her interim government is tasked with holding elections within a set timeframe while ensuring justice for victims of violence and restoring stability.
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