New Delhi: Nepal’s newly appointed interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, has pledged to hold power only temporarily and hand over authority to a newly elected parliament within six months. Karki, 73, a former Chief Justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court, emphasized that her government’s focus will be on governance, reconstruction, and economic stability rather than clinging to power.
“My team and I are not here to taste power. We won’t stay for more than six months. We will hand over responsibility to the new parliament. We won’t succeed without your support,” Karki told the media after assuming office.
The interim PM praised the nationwide ‘Gen-Z’ protests that led to the fall of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government, describing those who died during the agitation as “martyrs.” She announced a compensation of one million Nepali rupees to the families of each victim and assured that injured protesters would receive medical treatment and financial aid.
According to The Himalayan Times, the recent protests claimed 72 lives, including 59 demonstrators, 10 prison inmates, and three police officers.
Karki also addressed incidents of vandalism during the demonstrations, promising investigations and compensation for affected property owners. “Looking at what happened in the name of protests, it seems as if it was executed in a planned way, raising questions of a conspiracy,” she said, as reported by The Kathmandu Post. She added that support could be provided through soft loans or other measures for those who suffered property damage.
Highlighting the country’s ongoing economic challenges, Karki said the interim government’s priorities would include reconstruction and stabilizing Nepal’s economy.
The unprecedented nationwide protests, which began on September 8, were spearheaded by young demonstrators identifying themselves as Gen-Z. They recommended Karki as an interim leader capable of steering the nation through the political transition until a general election is held.
