PM Karki clarifies cabinet resignations, says ministers left with prior consent

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has explained why several cabinet ministers resigned to take part in the upcoming elections.

While addressing the National Assembly for the first time on Monday, she responded to questions from lawmakers and said the ministers had clearly stated their political plans even before joining the cabinet. She said they were allowed to resign once they decided to contest elections.

Former ministers Kulman Ghising, Mahabir Pun, Jagadish Kharel, and Bablu Gupta stepped down from their positions to enter electoral politics. Prime Minister Karki said their resignations were expected and not sudden. She added that she had assured them earlier that they could leave the cabinet whenever they chose to run in elections.

She said those who wished to remain stayed, while others left by choice. According to her, the former ministers did not misuse their authority while in office. She also said there has been no contact between them and the cabinet since their resignation.

The Prime Minister asked lawmakers not to criticize the former ministers and said she should take responsibility instead. She said it would be unfair to accuse them of dishonesty, as their intentions were clear from the beginning.

Prime Minister Karki also said there was strong pressure from the Gen-Z movement to include those individuals in the cabinet during the formation of the government. She explained that the decision was influenced by their age, values, and the political atmosphere at the time.

Earlier in her address, Prime Minister Karki said she became Prime Minister due to circumstances created by the Gen-Z movement of September 8 and 9, not because of personal ambition. She said she did not seek the position but accepted it because the situation demanded leadership.

She added that speaking in Parliament for the first time as Prime Minister was a rare and memorable moment in her life.