Interim Cabinet Expansion Begins Amid Political Deadlock and Unrest in Nepal

                                       Police Rearrest Thousands of Escaped Prisoners

KalimNews, September 15, 2025,  Kathmandu :  Nepal’s interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki began its long-anticipated cabinet expansion on Monday with the appointment of three key ministers, but the process remains mired in political complications and internal discord, especially within the influential Gen-Z movement.

President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers—Rameshore Khanal as Finance Minister, noted lawyer Om Prakash Aryal as Minister for Home Affairs, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and former Nepal Electricity Authority Executive Director Kulman Ghising as Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, along with portfolios for Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development. The swearing-in ceremony was held this morning at the President’s residence, Sheetal Niwas.

Despite this initial step, further expansion of the Council of Ministers appears to be on hold due to unresolved negotiations between Gen-Z leaders and other political groups. Although it had been widely expected that the full cabinet would be finalized by Sunday evening, no additional appointments were announced. Prime Minister Karki, who had only taken office earlier that morning, remained silent on the stalled process.

Gen-Z leader Anil Baniya had earlier suggested that new ministerial appointments might be settled by Sunday evening. However, intense internal disputes within the Gen-Z ranks disrupted progress. Tensions reached a peak when physical altercations broke out between factions during a press conference at the Reporters’ Club, revealing the depth of the divisions.

A source close to the Prime Minister confirmed there is no fixed timeline for completing the cabinet, though they expressed optimism that the process would conclude in the coming days. Meanwhile, Archana Khadka Adhikari, information officer at the President’s Office, clarified that no other swearing-in ceremonies had been scheduled on Sunday. “If there was a ceremony, we would have been informed. All staff remained on duty until 6 PM, but we received no communication,” she stated.

Factionalism within Gen-Z has further complicated the distribution of ministerial portfolios. Controversial royalist and medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai is reportedly lobbying for inclusion in the cabinet, a move resisted by the younger wing of Gen-Z. At the same time, supporters of Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Sah and Dharan Mayor Hark Sampang have both demanded representation in the interim government. These overlapping demands have left Prime Minister Karki with limited flexibility, and she has yet to publicly address the matter.

Anil Baniya acknowledged the ongoing discussions and assured that capable individuals would eventually be nominated. He also announced that once the ministers are appointed, the existing bureaucratic structures in the ministerial secretariats would be dismantled.

In a significant development, Prime Minister Karki appointed senior advocate Sabita Bhandari as Nepal’s first female Attorney General. Sabita, daughter of 99-year-old senior advocate Krishna Prasad Bhandari, comes from a distinguished legal lineage spanning three generations. Her niece, Nivedita Bhandari, is also a practicing lawyer. Sabita’s appointment follows the resignation of Attorney General Ramesh Badal, which was formally accepted by President Paudel on September 9.

Krishna Prasad Bhandari, a towering figure in Nepal's legal community who began his career in 1954, served twice as the president of the Nepal Bar Association. With Sabita’s appointment, his family’s legacy in the legal field continues into the present day.

Meanwhile, the country is still reeling from the aftermath of the Gen-Z-led protests on September 8 and 9, which erupted into widespread violence, vandalism, and political turmoil. According to Nepal Police, 3,723 escaped prisoners have been rearrested following mass jailbreaks during the unrest, but at least 10,320 convicts remain at large. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binod Ghimire, spokesperson for Nepal Police, reported that several escapees were apprehended by Indian authorities while attempting to cross the border and were subsequently returned. Others were captured by Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, and the Nepal Army, while a few surrendered voluntarily.

In addition, 139 detainees who had fled from police custody during the chaos in various districts have also been recaptured. However, around 2,100 individuals remain unaccounted for. DIG Ghimire urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any sightings of escapees to local police or security personnel. A nationwide manhunt is currently underway.

As the political situation remains fluid, the Karki-led interim government faces significant pressure to not only finalize its cabinet but also restore order and rebuild public trust in the state apparatus.