Protesters want Sushila Karki as interim PM: Efforts to form an interim government in Nepal remain mired in uncertainty as President Ram Chandra Poudel insisted that any solution to the crisis must be found within the framework of the existing Constitution. His remarks directly contradict Nepal Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, who persuaded Sushila Karki to accept the post of interim Chief Executive with backing from some Gen Z protest groups. However, Nepal’s Constitution bars retired justices from holding political or constitutional office, raising fresh hurdles. Poudel’s stance has gained support from major parties including the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), Maoist Centre and Madesh-based groups, signalling a return of the issue to Parliament where Oli’s alliance still holds a majority. The Gen Z movement remains divided, lacking formal leadership, while Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah has openly supported dissolving Parliament and backing Karki’s interim leadership, deepening political polarisation.
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Nepal protest causes and reasons: While the immediate trigger for the protests was a now-lifted ban on social media platforms, grievances had been simmering in Nepal for a while now, specially over the corruption allegations against the political leadership. According to a World Bank report, “Nepal’s economic growth accelerated in the first half of FY25 (H1FY25). Real GDP grew by 4.9 percent in H1FY25, up from 4.3 percent in H1FY24”. However, this number does not present the full picture. Job creation is slow, inequality, worsened by climate vulnerabilities and natural disasters, is high, and many among the young are leaving the country.” ‘Gen Z’ protesters, allegedly angered by the repressive actions of the K P Sharma Oli regime, set fire to government buildings, offices of major political parties, and the homes and offices of top political functionaries, including several former Prime Ministers, Tuesday.