POLITICAL CRISIS IN NEPAL CAME TO AN END, SUSHILA KARKI BECAMETHE INTERIM PM

POLITICAL CRISIS IN NEPAL CAME TO AN END, SUSHILA KARKI BECAMETHE INTERIM PM

13-SEP-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI-----------------------------The constitutional deadlock in Nepal ended after five days of turmoil and fierce opposition from Gen-G groups. Late on Friday night, President Ramchandra Poudel administered the oath of interim Prime Minister to the country's former Chief Justice Sushila Karki at Shital Niwas. Karki has not only been the first female Chief Justice of Nepal, but now she has also created history as the first female Prime Minister. Along with the swearing-in, the decision to dissolve the Nepali Parliament was also implemented, which was the biggest demand of the Gen-G agitators.

Before the oath, constitutional hurdles were discussed in depth in a marathon meeting that lasted for seven hours between the President, Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, senior law expert Omprakash Aryal and Gen-G representatives. Constitutional experts suggested that stability could be restored only through non-party leadership under the temporary arrangement. After this consensus, Karki's name was put forward. It is believed that his three-member cabinet will be formed soon, which will decide the outline of elections in the near future.

Earlier on Thursday, the clash between the Gen-Ji factions outside the army headquarters made the situation serious. The agitators had warned that if there was no consensus on the interim leadership, the protest would intensify from Friday morning. Rumours spread throughout the night that the former king might return, after which the army tightened the security of the capital. Preparations were made to deal with any emergency by deploying armoured vehicles, night-vision helicopters and additional troops.

Now the administration has marked a new office site for the functioning of the interim government, as there was no suitable place left after the Parliament building was burnt. Political observers believe that this step will take Nepal back towards the democratic process and will instill confidence in stability in the minds of the people. The countrymen hope that Karki's leadership will set new standards of transparency and good governance.