KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who assumed office as the head of the interim government on September 12, has yet to finalize her cabinet.
The proposed 11-member cabinet currently includes only eight members, including the Prime Minister herself. Amid slow government progress, an incomplete cabinet, conflicting demands from various Gen-Z groups, and high public expectations, the Prime Minister appears to be under significant pressure.
This pressure seemed to surface on Thursday. While leaving Singha Durbar, a journalist asked her, “Prime Minister, when will the cabinet be expanded?” The question seemed to irritate PM Karki, and she responded sharply while stepping into her government vehicle, saying, “It’s already happening!”
Last week, she had proposed four young candidates for ministerial positions. However, their nominations sparked controversy. Some were opposed for being associated with Tibetan refugee groups, while others faced objections for alleged US affiliations.
The swearing-in for these candidates was scheduled for Monday, but the disputes forced PM Karki to delay the cabinet expansion. The Prime Minister’s stress under mounting pressures was evident during her appearance at Singha Durbar on Thursday.
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