Sushila Karki Sworn In As First Woman PM Of Nepal
Nepal has entered a new political chapter with Sushila Karki first woman PM of Nepal officially sworn in. At 73, the former chief justice took oath as interim prime minister after the resignation of KP Sharma Oli, who stepped down following Generation Z–led anti-corruption protests.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at Shital Niwas, the presidential residence, with President Ramchandra Paudel, Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, and protest representatives present.
From Judiciary To Political Leadership
Sushila Karki first woman PM of Nepal is not a career politician. She served as Nepal’s first woman chief justice from July 2016 to June 2017. Her judicial career was defined by zero tolerance for corruption, which earned her both admiration and opposition.
Public demand for an honest, non-political figure pushed her into the role of interim leader. Many observers have drawn comparisons with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took charge of Bangladesh’s interim government after a student uprising.
Early Life And Education
Born in 1952 in eastern Nepal, Sushila Karki was the eldest of seven siblings in a farming family. She completed her B.A. at Mahendra Morang Campus in 1972, followed by a master’s degree in political science at Banaras Hindu University in 1975. She later earned her law degree from Tribhuvan University in 1978.
Karki taught briefly at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dharan while practicing law in Biratnagar, before her judicial career began.
Judicial Career And Challenges
Her rise started in 2009 as a temporary Supreme Court judge, confirmed permanently in 2010. In 2016, she became chief justice, the highest judicial office.
In 2017, she faced an impeachment motion over a ruling that disqualified the anti-corruption watchdog’s chief. The move sparked mass protests in defense of judicial independence. The motion was later withdrawn, and she returned to her post until retiring in June 2017.
During her tenure, she presided over landmark rulings, including the conviction of former minister Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta in a corruption case.
FAQs
Q: Who is Sushila Karki, the first woman PM of Nepal?
A: She is Nepal’s former chief justice who has now been appointed as interim prime minister.
Q: Why was Sushila Karki chosen as the first woman PM of Nepal?
A: Protesters and leaders backed her for her honesty and independence during anti-corruption demonstrations.
Q: What is the background of Sushila Karki ?
A: She studied political science in India and law in Nepal before serving as chief justice.
Q: What controversies surrounded her judicial career?
A: She survived a failed impeachment attempt in 2017, which many saw as a blow to judicial independence.
