Many things were said about Sushila Karki during Nepal’s political crisis. Some critics claimed that she had become prime minister through a foreign design, while others argued that the constitution did not even recognize her position and therefore described her as an illegitimate leader. Rumors and accusations circulated widely in political circles and across social media, with some claiming that the government under her leadership would never be able to conduct elections on Falgun 21.
There were even claims that foreign vehicles were entering Singha Durbar at night to meet her, and that the entire government itself had been formed under foreign influence. In some discussions, the speculation went even further, with critics warning that Nepal as a country might not survive such political turmoil. The accusations were numerous and the claims seemed endless.
However, despite the constant criticism, political pressure, and widespread doubts surrounding her leadership, the country eventually moved forward from a state of deep crisis. Nepal had already been pushed into instability and uncertainty, yet through political coordination and difficult negotiations, the government managed to bring together political forces that had been standing on opposite sides of the spectrum, including the UML, the Nepali Congress, and the Gen-Z activists who had played a key role in shaping the political environment.
Through this fragile political balance, the government succeeded in organizing a nationwide election peacefully and on the scheduled date. By successfully conducting the election despite such challenging circumstances, Sushila Karki has positioned herself as one of the most significant leaders in Nepal’s modern political history.
Today, voting has been completed across the country. Now the nation waits with anticipation to see how many seats each political party will secure and which political force will ultimately form the next government. However, the arrival of this moment was far from easy.
A Country Once Trapped in Uncertainty
To understand the significance of the current moment, it is important to remember the political situation that followed the Gen-Z protests of Bhadra 23 and 24. For three days after those protests, until Bhadra 27, the country remained in deep uncertainty and confusion, with the political environment becoming extremely unstable.
If we compare the situation with Bangladesh, a similar political crisis occurred there when the student movement led to the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government. After Hasina left the country, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took more than a year and a half before elections could finally be organized. Even then, political instability continued for a long time.
Nepal was facing a situation that looked remarkably similar. The parliament elected in the previous election had collapsed, and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of the powerful ruling coalition had already resigned from office. Important national institutions had been burned and destroyed during unrest, while the country’s administrative structure was struggling to function effectively.
During the period of chaos, around 14,000 prisoners managed to escape from detention facilities, and weapons belonging to the police were looted. Perhaps even more alarming was the dramatic decline in morale within the police force responsible for maintaining law and order across the country.
It was a moment of national crisis that many citizens today find difficult to imagine.
Leadership Under Intense Pressure
At that critical moment, when Sushila Karki stepped forward and declared that she would take responsibility for stabilizing the country, many citizens remained uncertain about whether she could actually succeed. Major political parties such as the Nepali Congress and the UML, which had been removed from power, were not particularly supportive of the interim government.
Ironically, even the Gen-Z activists who had helped elevate her to the leadership position through online platforms and digital mobilization quickly became some of her strongest critics. Every day, different activist groups arrived with their own demands, insisting that the government should deliver immediate results.
Some demanded that she resign immediately, while others argued that she should step down the next day if the government could not meet their expectations. Street protests continued in several places, and criticism spread widely across social media platforms.
At the same time, groups associated with Durga Prasai repeatedly threatened to launch protests, while the Biplab group, which had fought a decade-long insurgency in the past, openly issued warnings and threats against her leadership.
Despite this intense political pressure and unstable environment, the government led by Sushila Karki managed to achieve something that many people had considered impossible: the successful organization of a nationwide election.
Perhaps this is the reason why many citizens have begun referring to her as a motherly figure for the nation.
A Judicial Legacy Behind Her Leadership
Sushila Karki’s earlier career in the judiciary has also played an important role in shaping her leadership. During her tenure as Chief Justice of Nepal, she developed a reputation for defending judicial independence and prioritizing constitutional principles even in the face of political pressure.
Because of that record, many observers consider her one of the most respected figures in Nepal’s legal and constitutional history. That same commitment to institutional stability appeared to influence her approach during the country’s political transition.
Expectations That Remain Unfulfilled
While acknowledging the success of organizing the election, many citizens believe that another side of the story should not be ignored. A significant portion of the public had expected the interim government to address demands for accountability and justice.
In Bangladesh, for example, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus initiated actions against those responsible for suppressing the student movement during Sheikh Hasina’s rule. In Nepal as well, many citizens hoped that the government would investigate the crackdown on the Gen-Z protests and take strong action against corruption.
However, those expectations have not yet been fully realized. The government itself had established an investigation commission and promised that within three months it would identify the facts behind the Gen-Z protests and publish a report.
Even after six months, however, the report has still not been made public.
The Role of an Interim Government
In many political transitions around the world, the primary responsibility of an interim government is to conduct peaceful elections and transfer power to a new leadership chosen by the people.
In that sense, the government led by Sushila Karki has successfully completed its most important task.
Perhaps the citizens themselves had placed expectations on the interim government that went beyond its limited mandate.
A Nation Waiting for Its Next Leadership
As the voting process concludes across Nepal, many citizens have expressed gratitude to Sushila Karki and the entire interim government for completing the election under such difficult circumstances.
The country now waits to see what kind of leadership will emerge from the election results.
The votes cast by millions of Nepali citizens today are expected to reveal the next political direction of the nation within the next 47 to 72 hours.
There is a strong hope among many citizens that Nepal will now move toward stable leadership and that the country will gradually return to normal political life and national progress.
Watch the full documentary on Sushila Karki’s leadership during Nepal’s political crisis in the video below.
