Former Chief Justice of Nepal, Sushila Karki, is the preferred candidate for interim leadership, according to a spokesperson of the “Gen Z” protesters, following fatal rallies that resulted in the prime minister’s ousting.
The military has enacted a curfew to reestablish calm in the Himalayan nation of 30 million inhabitants, following the most severe rioting in twenty years that resulted in the government’s ousting and the parliament being set ablaze on Tuesday.
Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel engaged in discussions with prominent individuals and “representatives of Gen Z” on Wednesday, according to a military official, referencing the broad designation of the protest movement.
“Currently, Sushila Karki’s name is being proposed to head the interim government; we are now awaiting the president’s decision,” stated Rakshya Bam, an activist present at the meeting.
Conflicting interests
Protests commenced on Monday in Kathmandu in response to the government’s temporary prohibition on social media and issues of corruption, resulting in at least 19 fatalities during the ensuing crackdown.
The following day, protests intensified into a statewide eruption of fury, resulting in the incineration of government offices, a prominent hotel, and various other structures. Amidst the turmoil, almost 13,500 inmates escaped from incarceration.
“Bam informed AFP that they conferred with the army chief regarding future matters.”
“The discussion focused on strategies for advancing while maintaining the nation’s peace and security.”
Karki, 73, a professor and Nepal’s inaugural female Supreme Court top justice, informed AFP that “experts must collaborate to determine the path ahead” and asserted that “the parliament remains intact”.
According to constitutional provisions, 80-year-old President Ramchandra Paudel is obligated to call the leader of the predominant parliamentary party to establish a cabinet.
However, a significant portion of the political establishment has disappeared from public perception.
The demonstrators’ support for Karki is not unanimous.
During a virtual conference on the Discord website attended by thousands on Wednesday, activists deliberated on their representation, with numerous names proposed.
Conflicting arguments and multiple names were presented.
“Divisions exist,” stated journalist Pranaya Rana.
“In a decentralized movement such as this, it is inevitable that there will be conflicting interests and divergent perspectives.”
‘Revised directive’
Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old ex-engineer and rapper, was also listed as a prospective interim leader.
Shah expressed his “full support” for the plan to endorse Karki as the candidate in a Facebook post.
“The responsibility of this interim government is to conduct elections and provide a new mandate for the nation,” he stated.
On Thursday, soldiers continued to monitor the capital’s streets for a second consecutive day, which seemed tranquil, with numerous army checkpoints established throughout.
Movement restrictions were temporarily eased on Thursday morning to permit individuals to procure food and for critical personnel.
KP Sharma Oli, a 73-year-old veteran of the Communist Party and four-time prime minister, resigned on Tuesday amid demonstrations. His location is undisclosed.
His previous coalition partner, 79-year-old Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress, a five-time prime minister, has not been observed since the onset of turbulence.
