Nepal: Two young public figures join the interim government

Monday 27 October 2025 - 07:00

By: Sahili Aya

Nepal: Two young public figures join the interim government

Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, expanded her cabinet on Sunday by appointing two figures widely admired by the younger generation, in an effort to strengthen her administration following last month’s deadly protests.

Bablu Gupta, aged 28, took the oath as Minister of Youth and Sports, while Sudha Sharma was sworn in as Minister of Health and Population before President Ram Chandra Paudel during a ceremony held at the presidential office in Kathmandu, officials said.

The country is still recovering from the violent demonstrations of September 8 and 9, during which at least 73 people lost their lives and several government buildings, courts, and the Parliament were set ablaze.

The protests, which led to the collapse of the previous government, were initially triggered by a temporary ban on social media, but they also reflected long-standing frustration over economic hardship and deep-rooted political corruption.

Thousands of young Nepalis took to the streets to denounce the ruling elite that has dominated power since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008. The movement, brutally repressed, left scars that the new interim leadership must now address.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Karki had proposed two additional candidates for ministerial positions, but their appointments were temporarily suspended pending further consultation, according to her spokesperson Ram Rawal.

Gupta is well-known for his involvement with the volunteer organization “Group of 100”, which provides food aid and educational programs to underprivileged communities.
Dr. Sharma, a physician and author, has earned recognition for her work in maternal and child health policies.

Sources at the president’s office indicated that the cabinet expansion remains incomplete, with ongoing talks involving youth representatives.

At 73, Sushila Karki—former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court—was appointed interim prime minister following the unrest. She is tasked with leading the Himalayan nation of 30 million people until the March 5, 2026 elections.
Karki has pledged to restore public order and promote transparent governance in a country yearning for political renewal.