KATHMANDU: Talks on forming an interim government led by former Chief Justice (CJ) Sushila Karki are set to resume this morning, following a day-long discussion that failed to reach a conclusion.
President Ram Chandra Poudel held extensive consultations on Thursday in coordination with Nepal Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel. The meetings, which included former Chief Justice Karki and constutional experts, focused on navigating the political crisis sparked by nationwide protests led by the Gen-Z movement.
While there is broad agreement on appointing Sushila Karki as either Prime Minister or Chairperson of the Interim Council of Ministers, discussions stalled over whether or not to dissolve the current Parliament. Talks are scheduled to continue at 9 a.m. on Friday.
Sources say President Poudel consulted with leaders from the Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre on Thursday. Congress leaders reportedly suggested that Karki would be a suitable and neutral candidate to head the interim government. Maoist Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is also said to be supportive of Karki’s leadership.
President Poudel also sought input from legal experts on how to move forward within constitutional boundaries, as the constitution currently requires a sitting Member of Parliament to be appointed Prime Minister.
Advocate Om Prakash Aryal, a representative of the Gen-Z movement and legal advisor to Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, participated in the consultations.
The demand to dissolve Parliament has become a core issue for Gen-Z protesters, who have rejected traditional party leadership in favor of an independent interim government.
Following two days of protests, Gen-Z representatives put forward the name of former Chief Justice Karki during talks held with the Nepal Army at a military base. Karki is said to have responded positively to taking on the role.
Earlier on Thursday, President Poudel held several rounds of talks with both Army Chief Sigdel and Sushila Karki to assess the feasibility of her appointment.
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