‘I Have no Desire to Become President’

Prime Minister Sushila Karki took charge of the government after the ouster of KP Sharma Oli in the wake of the Gen-Z movement. She successfully completed the main responsibility entrusted to her — holding the House of Representatives elections within six months.

The results of the March 5 election have now been announced, and parties that crossed the proportional representation threshold submitted their lists of lawmakers on Sunday, March 15.

In this interview with RSS reporter Kalika Khadka, Prime Minister Karki spoke candidly about the challenges she faced during the six months in office.

Following is part of the interview published by the state-owned RSS news agency. It has been condensed for clarity.

The House of Representatives election was successfully conducted under your leadership. How does it feel?

I do not feel anything particularly different. However, everyone was concerned about the country. Despite the uncertainty, the elections were concluded peacefully. Everyone who cares about the country and wishes for its well-being is happy. I am also happy.

We were able to fulfil the responsibility assigned to the government on time. That brings a sense of satisfaction.

You assumed the role of executive head during a difficult time. How do you recall the challenges?

There were many challenges when I assumed leadership. I also wondered whether I would be able to manage the responsibilities. We had only six months.

On top of that, many critics attacked us. They doubted us. All the established political parties stood against us. Some who identified themselves as Gen-Z leaders even suggested that we should immediately leave the government. They said we had hijacked the movement.

At that time, there were very few people to support us.

Members of the Council of Ministers encouraged each other while working. Even when meeting representatives of foreign diplomatic missions, we were asked questions like, “Is it possible?” There was little sympathy from many sides.

We did not have a large support base or a strong organisation behind us. There were only a few people in the government. People did not have faith in us. On top of that, there were remarks about me being a woman.

But I listened with one ear and let it pass out of the other. I did not abandon my work.

Were there moments when you felt you could no longer continue?

Yes, I felt that sometimes.

One day, the parents of the martyrs of the Gen-Z Movement came to Baluwatar and cried. It felt as if I was about to have a heart attack.

Newspapers kept writing that “the government cannot deliver”. One Gen-Z youth even said, “We should have run the government. Why did you run it?”

At first they could not tell the President, “I can run the government.” Towards the end of our tenure, some of them came to me asking to be made ministers.

I did not become upset. I thought they were immature young people. Some even said, “I will make her fail and become Prime Minister myself.”

Political parties also said that even if you become Prime Minister, you should run the government with ministers from political parties.

In this country, it seems the Prime Minister is considered the most important person. For me, that position is not so valuable. Even now I prefer to be called the former Chief Justice. I like the judicial field itself.

But people appear to value and be attracted to the post of Prime Minister.

People mocked me and spoke derogatory words. They criticised everything — from the clothes I wore, the bangles I used, to the way I walked. But such criticism does not affect me. It is their perspective.

At what point did you feel confident that elections would take place?

I was appointed Prime Minister on September 12. The next day was Saturday. From September 14, the Election Commission began its preparations.

First, we focused on the problems of the families of the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives in the Gen-Z Movement. We listened to their concerns and worked accordingly.

After that, we focused on the election.

We requested neighbouring countries for assistance as well. There were not enough vehicles for the police. Friendly nations, including India and China, provided assistance.

We focused primarily on preparing for the election. We facilitated everything requested by the Election Commission. We also discussed with the President to create a conducive environment for the polls.

About 21 to 22 groups of Gen-Z youths emerged. Each group had different demands. Some called a directly elected prime minister and some for amendments to the constitution.

They were even making demands that were not permitted by the constitution.

However, the voices of Gen-Z youths could not be ignored.

Political parties said the government should only conduct elections. Gen-Z activists said the government should address all issues because it had emerged from a revolution.

We were extremely confused and overwhelmed. We had to endure that situation.

Amid many ups and downs, a historically peaceful election was conducted.

Do you believe you have done an extraordinary job guiding the country towards the right political path? Are you fully satisfied with your performance?

I do not feel that way.

Throughout my life, I have taken examinations at different stages and passed them. 

Life keeps presenting new challenges.

Honestly, it was a difficult journey. At the beginning, I declared that no one should lose their life during the election. Not a single drop of blood should be spilled.

Ultimately, the election remained peaceful.

I thank the general public, the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department, election police, and all security personnel who played important roles in making the election successful.

As Prime Minister, I am deeply grateful to them.

Who contributed to the success of the election and the government?

The main responsibility of the government was to conduct the election.

I give 50 percent credit to the Election Commission. The efforts led by acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari and the three commissioners will be remembered in history.

Although the commission should have had five officials, these three accomplished an extraordinary task.

I also extend my gratitude to Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, who worked tirelessly.

Other ministers also contributed significantly. Every citizen has played an equal role in the success of the government.

Leaders of all four security agencies played key roles in designing and implementing a comprehensive security plan.

In the meantime, you reshuffled the secretariat and reduced the number of staff. Why did you do that?

Some forces initially tried to attack me. When they failed, they started attacking the secretariat.

That is why I decided to restructure it.

At the age of 73, I ended up doing much of the work myself after reducing the secretariat’s size. However, today I would like to thank everyone who worked with me.

How did you manage the challenge of convincing so many parties to participate in the election?

Initially, the main challenge was to establish dialogue with political parties.

We held discussions with leaders of the major parties at the time, including Sher Bahadur Deuba, KP Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and representatives from around 125 political parties.

There were many movements at that time. From that situation, we gradually brought the country to its current state.

On some days, I held 14 meetings in a single day. Often we worked late into the night.

Every day I met dozens of stakeholders to create an environment conducive to elections.

There was also a culture where everyone wanted to meet the Prime Minister and take a photograph. That too had to be accommodated. Because, somehow, the election atmosphere had to be created.

We also prevented potential attacks during voting. Tensions arose in several places due to religious and communal issues, but we managed to control them.

The major parties even approached the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement of the dissolved parliament. How do you see it?

The government was determined to hold the election within the scheduled timeframe.

We maintained continuous dialogue with all parties. The entire country was gradually directed towards the election process.

Ultimately, the election was successful.

In the election, a new party achieved victory with nearly a two-thirds majority, while established parties appeared weaker.

How do you interpret the election result?

The result reflects the aspirations of young people and the impact of the Gen-Z movement. However, legacy parties should not panic.

The result was beyond our expectations. I had not imagined that Chair Oli would lose the election.

Everyone should respect the people’s mandate.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party should respect the votes it has received. At the same time, legacy parties should also be respected.

Opposition parties must hold the ruling party accountable.

Politics is a form of social service. People do not forget experienced leaders of Nepal.

This time there was an unprecedented wave in favour of the RSP. Next time, another wave may emerge.

Q. What measures did your government take to promote good governance and control corruption in line with the sentiments of the Gen-Z movement?

We made every possible effort to promote good governance and control corruption.

We reduced unnecessary expenses. I lived in the official residence of the Prime Minister but did not take a salary. Some ministers also declined benefits, including salaries.

About Rs 32 billion was spent on the March 5 elections. Much of that expenditure went to police, army and security equipment that can be used in the future.

The Election Commission also spent very cautiously. Only Rs 20 million was spent in the National Assembly election against the estimated Rs 40 million.

We avoided foreign visits so as not to burden the state treasury.

I believe the country has rarely seen a government that practised such financial discipline.

Appointments and promotions in bureaucracy and security agencies were made based on seniority and competence.

We did not interfere in appointments at universities.

Institutions such as the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, Nepal Police, and the Central Investigation Bureau worked with professional independence. I commend their leadership.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation, Department of Revenue Investigation, and National Investigation Department, which were previously under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, were returned to their respective line ministries.

The probe commission formed to investigate the incidents of September 8 and 9 has submitted its report. What will happen next?

The commission has already submitted the report. However, we have very little time left. The country has received a new mandate. A new government will be formed soon, and it will take forward the remaining process.

What message would you like to give to the incoming government?

First, the new government must address three major demands raised by Gen-Z: good governance, corruption control, and employment.

Unemployment has become a major issue. Nepotism is widespread.

The economic situation must be improved by ending such practices. Corruption must be controlled.

I believe major reforms are needed within Singha Durbar. Many projects are not completed on time.

Frankly, we did not receive much support in implementing reforms.

I believe a revolutionary step is necessary to reform the bureaucracy.

You have made history as the first woman Prime Minister. What will you do after completing this responsibility?

I have fulfilled the responsibility entrusted to me during a very difficult time. Now I will return to my personal life.

There are discussions about your possible appointment as President. What do you think?

I have no such desire. There are many people more deserving than me who have not yet had such opportunities.

Finally, is there anything you would like to say as Prime Minister?

Our responsibility was to hold elections, and we have fulfilled that duty. Some initiatives were also taken in the development sector.

The new government must create employment opportunities for youth and build an environment where Nepalis can live and work within the country.

Education reform is necessary. Trust in the nation must be rebuilt.

I believe the election campaign of Balen has sent a message that the Tarai, hill, and mountain regions are united.

I have trust in Balen. I hope something positive will happen.