I never expected Oli would lose polls: PM Karki

Outgoing interim government head Sushila Karki on Sunday said she never expected four-time Nepal prime minister K P Sharma Oli would lose the general elections.

The election result reflects the influence of youth voters and the demand for change as an effect of the Gen-Z movement, Karki said in an interview with state-run news agency, the Rashtriya Samachar Samiti.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), with former Kathmandu Mayor Balendra 35-year-old Shah ‘Balen’ as its prime ministerial candidate, bagged 182 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives (HoR). It includes 57 seats under the proportional representation (PR) after it won in 125 constituencies under direct voting that took place on March 5.

Prime Minister Kari has said that she felt joy as the House of Representatives election could be held on time – as per the mandate of the Nepalese people. “We were able to fulfill the responsibility assigned to the government on time. It feels like joy,” Prime Minister Karki said in the interview on Sunday.

“There were many challenges when I was in a leadership role. I also wondered whether I could manage things or not,” she said. “The time available was only six months. On top of that, many people were criticizing us. All the established parties stood against us. At that time, there were very few people to support us,” she pointed out.

“People did not have faith in us. There were comments about me being a woman,” Prime Minister Karki said. “But I listened with one ear and let it fly out of the other. I did not abandon my work.”

“The feeling that I can do it came from within. My physical strength, and power felt like that of a 16 or 18-year-old girl,” PM Kari said.

“Honestly speaking, it was a tough journey. At first, I declared, ‘No one should lose their life during an election. Not a single drop of blood should be spilled.’ “Finally, it turned out to be peaceful,” she added.

“Initially, the main challenge in conducting the elections was to hold dialogue with different political parties. We met people from various political parties,” she pointed out. “We had discussions with leaders of the then major political parties, including the then President of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (UML) Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and representatives from all 125 parties. There were so many movements. “From that situation, we have brought the country to its current state,” she said.

“The incumbent government had the responsibility to hold election and we completed it. Some initiatives are taken in development sector, she said adding “The new government should provide employment to youths and create environment to stay all Nepalis within the country.”

“Reform in education is necessary and an environment of trust towards the country should be built. Nepal is very beautiful in view of natural resources.,” “Now, the country does not need conflict and tension,” she added.