KATHMANDU, Sept 14 — Sushila Karki officially assumed office as Nepal’s Prime Minister today, two days after her appointment to lead the interim government, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing multiple news reports in the local media.
Karki, the country's first woman premier who previously served as chief justice, was sworn in on Friday by President Ramchandra Paudel in response to protesters’ demands after the ousting of the elected government of Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli.
She began her official duties from the Home Ministry building in Singha Durbar, as the Prime Minister’s office had been relocated there after the previous building was set on fire during the protests.
Among her early decisions was assisting victims of last week’s protests. Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal said the government recognised those killed in the "Gen Z" movement as martyrs, with each affected family receiving financial support.
He added that hospitals have also been instructed to offer free medical treatment to the injured.
At least 51 people were killed and many others were injured in the mass protests this week, triggered by a ban on social media platforms.
The protests evolved into a broader movement against alleged corruption and nepotism among the political elite, with demonstrators targeting residences, the Supreme Court, and other public buildings.
President Ramchandra Poudel dissolved the 275-seat Parliament on Friday (September 12) shortly after naming Karki, 73, as interim Prime Minister. The dissolution of the Parliament was a major demand by protest leaders.
However, Nepal's major political parties criticise the dissolution, calling for its reinstatement.
In a joint statement yesterday, the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Centre), the CPN (Unified Socialist), the Janata Samajbadi Party, the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, and the Janamat Party demanded the decision be reversed immediately, saying it undermined the Constitution and devalued the people’s mandate.
The parties cited Article 76 (7) of the Constitution and precedents set by the Supreme Court, arguing the president’s step broke constitutional practice.
“This move not only undermines the people’s mandate but also strikes at the very supremacy of the Constitution,” they said, adding that the protesters' demands should be addressed through an institution voted by the people.
The government has set March 5 next year for the elections.
