BCANP Day 4 Wrap

Nepal’s interim cabinet marks Day 4 with diplomacy, voting reforms, and civic recovery drive

BCANP News Desk —
Sept 18, 2025 —
Kathmandu, Nepal

On the fourth day of Nepal’s interim cabinet, Prime Minister Sushila Karki entered her first international engagement with a call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who offered condolences over protest deaths and pledged support for Nepal’s transition. Domestically, the cabinet’s ministers expanded their mandates: inquiries into protest deaths, new voting reforms, a national recovery plan, and a civic reconstruction fund.

Timeline (Sept 18, 2025)

Diplomatic outreach: PM Karki spoke with India’s PM Modi, who promised bilateral cooperation and support for stability.
Protest aftermath: Following the Sept 17 day of mourning, compensation payments to families of victims continued under government oversight.
Voting reforms: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal discussed with the Election Commission allowing Nepali citizens abroad to vote at least in proportional ballots, and introducing a “No Vote” option on ballots.
Inquiry process: Aryal also advanced steps to form an independent commission into the 72 protester deaths and coordinated on election security guidelines.
Business recovery: Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal refined his integrated recovery plan, focusing on tax relief, credit facilities, and youth employment programs.
Civic reconstruction fund: Energy Minister Kulman Ghising announced a campaign fund, calling on Nepalis at home and abroad to contribute, saying the people should rebuild their own damaged structures without reliance on foreign donors.
Power sector reforms: Ghising also pressed industries to clear electricity dues and followed up on dismantling the minister’s chamber at NEA headquarters.

Decisions & Quotes

Karki: Reaffirmed her six-month tenure, stating, “This government’s duty is to heal, not to rule.”
Aryal: Argued diaspora Nepalis “must at least have proportional voting rights” and endorsed a “No Vote” option as democratic accountability.
Khanal: Emphasized that relief must “restore credibility in public finance” while prioritizing job creation.
Ghising: Declared, “Nepali people must rebuild what Nepali people have torn down,” urging voluntary contributions from citizens worldwide.
Modi (via readout): Expressed “deep condolences” and assured India would “stand with Nepal in this transitional phase.”

Why it matters

Day 4 demonstrated a cabinet moving from mourning into reform and rebuilding. Aryal’s proposals on diaspora voting and a “No Vote” option mark potential electoral innovations. Khanal’s recovery agenda addresses the economic roots of unrest. Ghising’s civic fund reframes reconstruction as a people-led mission, reducing dependency on foreign donors. Karki’s diplomatic outreach shows external legitimacy, while the six-month limit underscores the government’s transitional nature.

Background

Karki, a former chief justice, became interim prime minister after youth-led protests in early September left dozens dead and forced political compromise. Her cabinet — Aryal (Home/Law), Khanal (Finance), Ghising (Energy/Infrastructure) — reflects a technocratic shift aimed at clean governance, justice, and rebuilding ahead of March 2026 elections.

What’s next

Drafting legal frameworks for diaspora voting and the “No Vote” option.
Formation of the independent inquiry commission into protester deaths.
Publication of Khanal’s finalized business recovery package with employment details.
Operational launch of Ghising’s reconstruction fund with transparent mechanisms for contributions.
Expansion of Karki’s international outreach beyond India.

Nepal interim cabinet Day 4: Mourning, voting reforms, recovery drive