KATHMANDU, Sept 14: Prime Minister Sushila Karki is preparing to form a small cabinet. She held consultations with stakeholders on Saturday morning and evening to finalize a compact Council of Ministers to be formed on Sunday. After meeting some youth leaders in the morning, Karki visited hospitals across Kathmandu to meet those injured during the protests. Many people congratulated her during the visit, but she asked them to wait until her term ends to congratulate her, saying she is focused on fulfilling her responsibilities first.
Although there were plans to announce a three-member cabinet on Friday evening after Karki’s appointment, the move was postponed. Meanwhile, the Gen-Z group has been conducting voting since Saturday morning to select ministerial candidates. They have recommended appointing those who receive the highest votes as ministers.
The group has already requested Om Prakash Aryal, legal adviser to Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, to serve as a minister and has demanded that one minister be chosen from the Nepal Army. They have sought the name from the Chief of Army Staff, but by Saturday evening, no name had been provided.
During a high-level meeting earlier in the day, the army chief stated that the institution would not engage in political lobbying or recommendations. “Even though the chief said the army will not intervene politically, the Gen-Z group is still asking for a name, citing the army’s support for the movement,” said a senior army officer.
Nepal European Union Film Festival to begin virtually
Sudan Gurung, one of the Gen-Z protest leaders, informed his group that preparations for the voting process had begun. Before nominating Sushila Karki as Prime Minister, the group had held a “virtual” vote on Discord, where she secured 50 percent of the votes. Discord’s virtual polls work like those conducted on X and Facebook. Through the Youth Against Corruption group on Discord, they had discussed how to move forward after the protests and what type of government to form. At one point on Wednesday, more than 10,000 people joined the discussion simultaneously, which was broadcast live on YouTube, Facebook, and other media outlets.
In the Discord discussions, participants took turns sharing suggestions, posting comments, asking questions, and receiving real-time updates. They followed the same process for cabinet formation on Saturday. Frustrated with political parties that had become symbols of corruption and arbitrary governance, the young activists are using virtual platforms to select ministers. As of this report, the final list of ministers has not been decided.
Meanwhile, political parties have accepted Sushila Karki as Prime Minister but rejected the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Centre) have issued formal statements rejecting the move.
Chief whips of eight political parties have also objected to the President’s announcement issued on the night of September 12, calling it unconstitutional, undemocratic, and against the spirit of the constitution. They have demanded its immediate withdrawal. The signatories include Shyam Kumar Ghimire (Nepali Congress), Mahesh Kumar Bartaula (CPN-UML), Hitraj Pandey (Maoist Centre), Metmani Chaudhary (CPN-Unified Socialist), Ram Prakash Chaudhary (LSP), Birendra Prasad Mahato (JSP), Ranjita Shrestha (Naupa), and Anita Devi (Janamat Party).
Use new opportunity wisely: President
President Ram Chandra Paudel urged political parties to use the opportunity wisely. In a statement issued Saturday, he appealed to all sides to cooperate in holding the upcoming elections scheduled for March 5, assuring the public that stability and democratic continuity had been restored.
“The country has found a peaceful way out of a very difficult, extraordinary, and fearful situation through much effort,” Paudel said. “The constitution remains intact, the parliamentary system is preserved, and the federal democratic republic stands firm. Within six months, elections will be held to move the country toward a more advanced democracy.”
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