KATHMANDU: The Gen-Z movement has proposed the formation of an interim civilian government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, following internal deliberations and discussions on Wednesday.
The proposal has been forwarded to Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel for consideration. A senior military official confirmed the development, stating, “They have proposed the name of the former Chief Justice, although discussions are still ongoing with another group.”
The Nepali Army has also indicated it will initiate talks with Karki to discuss the possibility of her leading an interim administration.
Throughout the day, Gen-Z activists debated potential leadership options on the social media platform Discord. Former Chief Justice Karki emerged as the frontrunner, receiving strong support from a majority of participants.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah was also suggested by some members of the group. However, concerns were raised about his lack of direct engagement with the movement.
On Tuesday evening, Shah posted a status on social media urging Gen-Z to be prepared for dialogue with the Army Chief, but has otherwise remained distant from the group’s leadership discussions.
On Wednesday morning, a delegation of Gen-Z representatives held talks with the army leadership. However, Chief of Army Staff Sigdel requested that they return after reaching a mutual agreement and appointing a coordinator, as more than 15 representatives had come without consensus. A closed-door meeting was then held at the base to consolidate their position.
During the meeting, some participants raised dissenting views, including calls to abandon the republican system. This led to a faction, including the group known as Raksha Bam, walking out of the discussions.
Despite internal disagreements, the majority ultimately coalesced around the idea of forming an interim civilian government under the leadership of Karki.
Karki, the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal, was previously recommended for the post by the Constitutional Council during the tenure of former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. She is widely known for her strict stance against corruption in the judiciary and later became a prominent civic activist after stepping down from the bench.
Born into a farming family close to BP Koirala’s circle, Karki is the eldest of seven siblings. Despite her father’s wish for her to pursue medicine, she chose law and later married Durga Prasad Subedi while studying at Banaras Hindu University, where she completed her Master’s in Political Science. She practiced law for over three decades and served seven years as a Supreme Court Justice, eventually becoming Chief Justice.
Throughout her judicial career, Karki presided over several high-profile cases, including convicting former Minister Jayaprakash Gupta in a corruption case. She is fluent in Nepali, English, and Hindi, and has visited countries including the U.S., U.K., Sri Lanka, Japan, China, India, Tanzania, and the Netherlands.
Known for her fearless approach and simple lifestyle, Karki has a reputation for integrity and fairness. Following the promulgation of Nepal’s Constitution in 2015, she was among the first three women to reach the nation’s highest offices, alongside President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Speaker Onsari Gharti. Now, she stands at the threshold of leading the country as Nepal’s first female Prime Minister.
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