Nepal's political crisis deepens; Army chief to decide interim PM as protesters split over leadership

KATHMANDU: Efforts to make former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki (73) the interim Prime Minister of Nepal have collapsed. Karki was the country’s first woman to hold the post of Chief Justice. At the same time, the Gen Z protesters who had gone to the army headquarters for discussions broke into factions over differences of opinion. As the divided groups assembled at the gates and raised slogans, the army turned them away.

The military has asked protesters to submit names and phone numbers of those proposed for the interim PM post by this morning. The final decision will be made by Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.

Protesters are also demanding that Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah or Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang be appointed as interim Prime Minister. From the beginning, protesters had pressed for Balen Shah to take the role.

With ministers and elected representatives still in hiding, fearing attacks, the army has taken full control of law and order. Parliament and key offices are under military guard, and curfew remains in place.

For the past two days, Nepal has been tense following youth-led protests against government corruption and social media restrictions. At least 30 people have been killed and over 1,200 injured. Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu reopened yesterday.

Tourists from Kerala are safe A group of 40 tourists from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, stranded in Nepal, are safe and hopeful of returning home as flights resume. They are from Mukkom, Koduvally, Kodiyathur, and Areekode.

“All facilities, including food, are available at the lodges, but movement outside is restricted,” said P.C. Rafiq, a tour coordinator from Ramanattukara.

India prepares special flight to rescue stranded citizens India is preparing to send a special aircraft to bring back citizens stranded in Nepal. Over 500 Indians are stuck at Tribhuvan airport alone. The Indian Embassy is in constant contact with the Nepal Army.

Air India had cancelled services but is offering free rescheduling and full refunds. The Delhi-Kathmandu international bus service has been suspended by the Delhi Transport Corporation. The Ministry of External Affairs has advised citizens to postpone travel to Nepal.

Border states have stepped up vigilance. The 1,751 km-long border remains open, but security has been tightened. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has intensified patrolling in seven districts of Uttar Pradesh. Trucks carrying essential goods are stranded at the Sonauli border, while the Raxaul border in Bihar is under strict watch. Authorities in Uttarakhand’s Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar districts are also reviewing the situation.

Meanwhile, five prisoners who escaped from a Nepal jail were caught by SSB officers at the Siddharthnagar border in Uttar Pradesh.