Sushila Karki, former Chief Justice of the Nepal Supreme Court, is poised to become the country’s first female Prime Minister. President Ramchandra Paudel is expected to administer the oath of office. Kathmandu Mayor and PM candidate Balen Shah has also expressed his support for Karki. Additionally, Kulman Ghising, who has a background with the Nepal Electricity Authority, was considered for the interim Prime Minister position. Karki has been a prominent figure in Nepal’s anti-government protests for several years. As Chief Justice, she made several rulings against corruption within the Nepalese government, which made her popular among Nepal’s Gen Z. She was also 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 one year before a motion of impeachment was brought against her on April 30, 2017, which led to her suspension from the post.
Karki is the eldest of seven siblings. She earned a BA from Mahendra Morang Campus in Biratnagar in 1972. She then completed her Masters in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University, India, in 1975. She obtained her law degree from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, in 1978, and began practicing law a year later.
In a recent interview, Karki reflected on her time at Banaras Hindu University, mentioning fond memories of her teachers, friends, and the Ganges River. She also expressed positive sentiments regarding India-Nepal relations, extending her greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressing a favorable opinion of him. She emphasized the strong relationship between the people of Nepal and India, highlighting the goodwill and affection shared between them. She stated that she is impressed by Indian leaders and considers them like her own siblings. Karki, who hails from Biratnagar near the Indian border, also revealed that she frequently visits the market situated near the border. These statements suggest that her ascendancy to power in Nepal could be seen as a positive development for India.
