Sushila Karki, the former Chief Justice of the Nepal Supreme Court, is set to become the first female Prime Minister of Nepal. President Ramchandra Paudel will administer the oath of office. Kathmandu’s Mayor, Balen Shah, a contender for the PM position, has also supported Karki’s nomination. Kulman Ghising, who was part of the Nepal Electricity Authority, was another name considered for the interim Prime Minister role. Karki has been a consistent presence in Nepal’s anti-government protests for many years. During her tenure as Chief Justice, she made rulings against corruption, making her popular among Nepal’s Gen Z. She was Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, appointed on July 11, 2016. She was born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, Nepal. She held the position for approximately a year before facing an impeachment proposal on April 30, 2017, which resulted in her suspension from the position.
Karki is the eldest of seven children. She graduated with a BA from Mahendra Morang Campus in Biratnagar in 1972. She later obtained a Masters in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University in India in 1975. She earned a law degree from Tribhuvan University in Nepal in 1978 and began practicing law a year later.
In a recent interview, Karki reminisced about her time at Banaras Hindu University, remembering her teachers, friends, and the Ganges River. She also expressed a positive outlook on the relationship between India and Nepal, extending her regards to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressing a favorable opinion of him. She highlighted the strong bonds between the people of Nepal and India, emphasizing the shared goodwill and affection. She mentioned her admiration for Indian leaders, viewing them as siblings. Karki, a resident of Biratnagar near the Indian border, also revealed that she often visits the border market. Her statements suggest that her potential leadership in Nepal could be seen favorably by India.