Kathmandu: Sushila Karki, former Chief Justice and leading candidate to become interim Prime Minister of Nepal, has expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted the deep people-to-people ties between Nepal and India amid the country’s political upheaval.
Karki told News18, speaking in Hindi, “Main Modi ji ko namaskar karti hoon. I have a very good impression of Modi ji.” She emphasised strong affection among Nepali citizens for India, recalling her student days at Banaras Hindu University, her memories of the Ganga river, and connections with friends, teachers and family across the border. She described relations between governments as one matter, and people’s relationship as something much more personal and longstanding.
Political unrest has surged after Gen Z-led protests toppled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government. The movement began over a social media ban, but grew into a larger expression of frustration with corruption, lack of economic opportunity and political elite dominance. At least 30 protesters died and over a thousand were injured as mobilisation swept the streets. Oli resigned amid pressures.
Youth organisers have rallied behind Karki, seen by many as non-partisan and possessing a reputation for integrity. She has accepted their request to lead the nation for a transitional period. Other names under consideration include Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah and former Nepal Electricity Authority head Kulman Ghising. Constitutional questions remain unresolved around whether her appointment as interim prime minister, given her judicial background and age, can proceed under Nepal’s existing legal framework.
In her remarks, Karki said her immediate priority would be to address the harm suffered by young people during the protests, particularly those who lost their lives. She stressed developing stability and restoring trust in governance, earmarking accountability and transparency as key goals.
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