By Ananya Varma

Copyright timesnownews

Former Chief Justice of Nepal Sushila Karki, who has emerged as a popular pick by Gen-Z protesters to take charge as the country’s interim prime minister amid unrest, has praised India’s political leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Main Modi ji ko namaskar karti hoon (I greet Prime Minister Modi). I have a very good impression of Modi ji,” she told CNN-News18, also confirming she was prepared to take on the role. “The Gen-Z group led the recent movement in Nepal, and they trusted me to lead the government for a short period,” she said. Sushila Karki described herself as a “friend of India” and shared that she spent years at BHU in Varanasi, where she completed her master’s degree in political science in 1975. The 71-year-old jurist recalled her time studying at Banaras Hindu University in the 1970s and said, “I studied in BHU… I have many friends in India. I still remember my teachers in BHU. The relationship with India is very good and it goes back many years. India has helped Nepal a lot. Indians always wish well for Nepal.” “I am very much impressed with Indian leaders… Indian friends treat me as a sister,” she told CNN-News18, adding, “Main Modi ji ko namaskar karti hoon. I have a good impression of Modi ji.” Karki’s name has emerged as one of the possible candidates to lead the new transition government. She first made history after becoming Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, serving in the role from July 2016 to June 2017. Also Read: ‘Gen-Z, Hear Me Out’: Youth Icon Balen Shah Rallies Behind Sushila Karki To Take Interim Charge Of Nepal Support rallies behind Sushila Karki Earlier, Kathmandu’s Mayor Balendra Shah also expressed his support for appointing Sushila Karki as head of an interim government, urging youth to remain calm amid raging protests across the nation. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Shah addressed the younger generation and the broader Nepalese public, stating that the country was entering an “unprecedented” moment in its history and urging citizens to act with maturity and responsibility. “I fully support your proposal to lead this interim/electoral government by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. I would like to sincerely respect your understanding, wisdom, and unity. This shows how mature you are,” Shah wrote. He emphasised that the country is headed towards the formation of an interim government that would be responsible for organising fresh elections and restoring political stability and encouraged people not to panic but to trust the process. The protests began on September 8 in Kathmandu and other major cities, including Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj, after the government imposed a ban on major social media platforms, citing tax revenue and cybersecurity concerns. As tensions mounted, the situation quickly escalated on the ground. At least 30 people were killed and 1033 were injured in clashes with security forces. A curfew was imposed in several cities, including Kathmandu, to control the situation.