Nepal's Ex-Chief Justice Sushila Karki takes oath as interim Prime Minister

New Delhi: Nepal's former Chief Justice Sushila Karki on Friday created history as she took oath as the country's interim Prime Minister after violent nationwide protests led to the ouster of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office to Karki, 73, at the President's Office. Besides President Paudel and the newly-elected PM, Vice President Ram Sahay Yadav and Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Rawat were present. Fresh elections will be held in Nepal within six months. Karki, known for her anti-corruption stance, is the first woman to lead the country. She will form a small cabinet and at its first meeting, she is likely to recommend dissolution of the Parliament to the President.

Earlier, Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel attended a crucial meeting at the President's Office at Sheetal Niwas to end the constitutional deadlock. Several meetings have been held so far between Gen Z representatives, President Paudel and the Nepal Army chief to discuss the roadmap.





Administrative work will resume soon at Singha Durbar, which was set on fire during the agitation that killed at least 51 people. A team led by Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal reviewed building management and feasibility.

Political parties, which have taken a backseat following two days of massive youth-led protests against corruption directed at the existing political structure, have called for a resolution within the framework of the Constitution. Meanwhile, civil society voices have grown louder, urging that no step be taken outside the constitutional ambit. Sources told ET that the condemned political class was manipulating to make a comeback taking advantage of the naivety of Gen-Z leadership. However, the Chinese style of governance of ousted PMs has little takers in Nepal. The display of wealth by "Nepo kids" has further dented the image of the political class.

Oli quit on Tuesday, following which the Nepal Army imposed restrictions due to a serious law and order situation across provinces. On Friday, the situation across the country was peaceful, officials said. Karki made history in July 2016 when she became Nepal's first female chief justice. Her tenure, however, ended less than a year later after lawmakers filed an impeachment motion accusing her of "delivering biased verdicts" and interfering in executive jurisdiction. At least 51 people were killed during violent anti-corruption protests in Nepal this week, police said on Friday in an updated toll, as the full scale of chaos that toppled the government emerges.

Nepal's army said that they recovered more than 100 guns looted in the uprising.