Nepal: PM Karki meets with CMs of all states; Discusses preparations for 5 March general elections

The Prime Minister’s press coordinator, Ram Bahadur Rawal, stated that the meeting was convened to facilitate better communication and coordination between the central and state governments in the changing political situation.

Kathmandu: Nepal's Prime Minister Sushila Karki reviewed preparations for the March 5 general elections and met with the Chief Ministers of all seven provinces. The Prime Minister's press coordinator, Ram Bahadur Rawal, stated that the meeting was convened to facilitate better communication and coordination between the central and state governments in the changing political situation.

Sushila Karki (73) became Nepal's first female Prime Minister on September 12. Previously, the Gen-Z movement, led by young people against corruption and the ban on social media, forced the resignation of then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

This meeting was part of a series of ongoing consultations with various political parties and stakeholders regarding the Prime Minister's election preparations.

Karki is meeting with leaders of various political parties and the Gen Z group ahead of the elections, seeking to build consensus. On Saturday, he held discussions with Nepali Congress General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma to clarify the political parties' positions regarding the elections. According to sources in the Prime Minister's Office, the one-hour meeting focused on election preparations, improving the law and order situation, and other important matters.

Nepali Congress leaders assured the Prime Minister of ensuring the party's participation in the elections. Thapa and Sharma told the media that Congress would soon engage in serious dialogue with the Gen Z group and other political parties. Karki met with representatives of major political parties for the first time since the formation of the caretaker government on October 21st to discuss security issues and election preparations.

Several prominent politicians from the dissolved House of Representatives attended the meeting. Prime Minister Karki sought cooperation from all parties in conducting free and fair elections, while the leaders urged the government to create a conducive environment for the elections. Earlier on October 25, Nepal's Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal invited all concerned parties and suggested engaging in dialogue with the caretaker government instead of protesting in the streets before the general elections on March 5. After the meeting, Home Minister Aryal said, "The government is always ready for dialogue and discussion to resolve problems."