Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Tuesday held her first meeting with representatives of major political parties since the formation of the caretaker government last month, focusing on preparations for the upcoming general elections and security arrangements.
The meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar was attended by prominent leaders of several political parties of the dissolved House of Representatives.
Karki, 73, made history last month as Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister, taking office after the ouster of former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli. Oli’s removal followed widespread youth-led ‘Gen Z’ protests against corruption and the government’s controversial social media ban.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Karki called for the support and cooperation of all political parties to ensure the smooth conduct of free and fair elections.
The participating leaders, in turn, urged the government to create a favourable and secure environment for holding the polls.
Karki assured that the interim government is functioning strictly within the framework of the law. “We will uphold the spirit of the Gen Z movement,” she said, emphasizing that all actions would follow due process and legal procedures.
We are working according to the mandate given to us. Elections will be held, and investigations into corruption are progressing, the prime minister added.
Nepal’s top electoral body has already announced March 5, 2026, as the date for the House of Representatives election.
During the discussion, representatives of those injured in the youth-led Gen Z movement last month advised the government to take firm action against the corrupt politicians.
The 18-member delegation of the injured, led by Rupin Khadka, urged the government formed through a revolution to take bold and transformative measures reflecting the spirit of that revolution.
Those present from the government side included PM Karki, Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal, Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Agriculture Minister Madan Pariyar, and Minister for Communications & Information Technology Jagadish Kharel.
ALSO READ: Oli accuses Nepal government of plotting arrest, questions fairness of upcoming polls
Gagan Kumar Thapa and Prakash Sharan Mahat from the Nepali Congress; Shankar Pokharel and Pradip Gyawali from the CPN UML; Barsha Man Pun and Pampha Bhusal from the CPN (Maoist Centre); Swarnim Wagle and Sobhita Gautam from the Rastriya Swatantra Party; Rajendra Pandey and Prakash Jwala from the CPN (Unified Socialist); Rajendra Gurung and Mohan Shrestha from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party; Upendra Yadav and Prakash Adhikari from the Janata Samajbadi Party, among others, attended the meeting.
