KATHMANDU: The formation of an interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has hit a deadlock, with leaders divided over whether Parliament should be dissolved before she takes office.
Although there is broad political agreement on Karki leading a transitional administration, the process has stalled during tripartite talks involving President Ram Chandra Paudel, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, and representatives of the Gen Z protest movement. Both Karki and protest leader Sudhan Gurung have held firm that the dissolution of the House of Representatives must precede her swearing-in.
Constitutionally, Parliament can only be dissolved following a prime minister’s recommendation and presidential approval. This procedure was attempted twice in 2020 and 2021 under then–Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, but in both cases the Supreme Court intervened to reinstate the legislature.
President Paudel, wary of repeating those constitutional controversies, has pushed for a path that preserves institutional legitimacy.
“The process must remain within the constitutional framework,” a source close to the president said. Karki, however, has made it clear that she will not assume office without dissolution first.
The disagreement has left the interim government in limbo. Negotiators are still debating whether Paudel should dissolve the House immediately before Karki’s swearing-in, or if Karki should first take the oath and then recommend dissolution from her position as prime minister.
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