Parliamentary electionin Nepal on March 5: Modi, Mamata congratulate Sushilaon taking oath as interim PM

PTI, KATHMANDU/IMPHAL/KOLKATA, SEPT 13, 2025 :  Nepal's next parliamentary elections will be held on March 5, President Ramchandra Paudel's office has announced, following a week of violent protests that led to the resignation of K P Sharma Oli and Sushila Karki taking over as the country's first woman Prime Minister.

President Paudel, while dissolving the House of Representatives on the recommendation of the newly-appointed Prime Minister on Friday, said the next parliamentary election would be held on March 5. Former Chief Justice Karki, 73, was sworn in as the country's first woman Prime Minister, ending days of political uncertainty after the abrupt resignation of Oli this week following widespread anti-government protests against a ban on social media and alleged corruption.

Oli quit on Tuesday shortly after hundreds of agitators entered his office demanding his resignation for the death of at least 19 people in police action during Monday's protests. The Prime Minister will form a small Cabinet on Sunday, two days after her swearing-in ceremony, as offices are closed on Saturday. Karki will hold some two dozen ministries, including Home, Foreign Affairs, and Defence.

Sources at the President's Office said the Prime Minister will form a council of ministers with the inclusion of a small number of ministers on Sunday, when she will assume office. As the Prime Minister's Office in Singhdurbar Secretariat was set on fire during the two-day agitation, the newly-constructed building for the Home Ministry within the Singhdurbar complex is being prepared for the Prime Minister's Office, according to government sources.

Removing the ashes and cleaning are being done in the surrounding areas of the building to shift the Prime Minister's Office there. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Karki on Saturday visited the Civil Hospital in Baneshwar area of Kathmandu where dozens of people injured during the agitation are undergoing treatment.

Nepal's major political parties and apex lawyers' body have strongly criticized the President's decision to dissolve Parliament, describing the move as "unconstitutional," "arbitrary," and as a serious blow to democracy. The chief whips of the dissolved House of Representatives have issued a joint statement opposing the dissolution of the Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Karki on assuming office, calling her appointment "a shining example of women's empowerment." 

Addressing a rally in the Manipur capital, Modi said: "I want to congratulate Karki on behalf of 140 crore Indians." The Prime Minister added: "Karki occupying the top post of that country is an example of women's empowerment. I am confident that she will pave the way for peace, stability, and prosperity in Nepal."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday congratulated Sushila Karki on taking oath as the Prime Minister of an interim government in Nepal, and said she looks forward to nurturing the deep-rooted ties of friendship and cooperation as the neighbour of the Himalayan country. 

"I extend my best wishes to the Right Honourable Mrs. Sushila Karki on her assumption of office as the Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Nepal. West Bengal has borders with Nepal, and close people-to-people relations. We look forward to nurturing the deep-rooted ties of friendship and cooperation as neighbours," Mamata posted on X.