Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to lead Nepal's interim government; Set to be first woman PM
Kathmandu (PTI): Nepal's former Chief Justice Sushila Karki will lead an interim government, the Nepalese President's office announced on Friday, ending days of political uncertainty after the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli this week following wide-spread anti-government protests against a ban on social media and alleged corruption.
Widely respected for her tenure as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, Karki, 73, is set to script history by becoming Nepal's first woman prime minister.
Karki was chosen to lead the interim government after a meeting between President Ram Chandra Paudel, Nepal's top military brass, and representatives of youth protesters.
The swearing-in ceremony of the interim prime minister will take place at 9 pm, Kiran Pokharel, the president's press advisor said.
She faces the immediate challenge of restoring law and order in Nepal following the massive protests since Sunday.
Sushila Karki has been appointed as the head of the Interim government following a consensus among all sides, the president's press advisor said.
She will take the oath of office as the prime minister at around 9 pm.
Karki will then form a small cabinet and at the first meeting of the cabinet she will recommend to the President the dissolution of the Parliament as per the understanding reached among various stakeholders., officials said.
The President will then dissolve the Parliament, they said.
President Paudel also consulted with leaders of major political parties, legal experts and civil society leaders separately before deciding to appoint the caretaker prime minister, the officials said.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was forced to resign after the 'Gen Z' group launched a massive protest.
The major demands of the protesters included checking corruption, ending favouritism and lifting ban on social media sites.
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Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
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