• President Ramchandra Paudel’s office leads discussions while army eases curfew hours, army spokesman tells Anadolu
• Likely interim Premier Sushila Karki reportedly delays her appointment, wants parliament dissolved first 

ISTANBUL  

Talks to form an interim administration in Nepal are ongoing, with the office of President Ramchandra Paudel leading the discussions, the army spokesman said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Raja Ram told Anadolu over the phone that the “concerned” office “is looking after it,” referring to Paudel’s office.

On Thursday, Paudel urged all stakeholders to cooperate, saying: “Efforts are underway to address the protesters' demands.”

The push for an interim government followed deadly protests since Monday that left at least 51 people dead and hundreds of others injured, and forced the ouster of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s elected administration.

The deceased include three Nepal police personnel, 21 protesters, 18 others, and nine prisoners, according to police.

Army chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel “is also attending discussions” on the proposed setup, spokesman Ram added.

When asked about a timeline for the interim administration, Ram declined to give details, saying: “Concerned department will come up with a timeframe for the interim administration.”

Nepal’s main parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist), have said any new government must follow the Constitution and avoid dissolving parliament. But other figures, including Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, are pressing for the legislature to be disbanded.

Speculation has grown that former chief justice Sushila Karki may be tapped by Paudel to lead the interim administration.   

'Dissolve parliament for snap polls'

Paudel has reportedly told Karki, "I will appoint you as prime minister," and asked her to dissolve Parliament for snap elections in the first Cabinet meeting, according to the Setopati digital magazine. 

However, she is said to have rejected the idea, asking the president to dissolve the parliament before her appointment.

The president could not agree, thus delaying the formation of the interim administration.

"If I dissolve it upon the recommendation of the prime minister, only then will it gain legitimacy. If the president dissolves Parliament on his own, the Supreme Court could overturn that decision in the future," said Paudel.

The Nepalese president reportedly planned to appoint her to the premier office under Article 61(4) of the Constitution, or "in his capacity as the upholder and protector of the Constitution."

"Even though this will stain the Constitution significantly, I have discussed it with the parties and persuaded them," Paudel told Karki.

The army was deployed nationwide earlier this week after violence escalated. Prohibitory orders and a curfew were imposed on Tuesday night.

Authorities said more than 14,000 prisoners escaped from jails during the unrest.

Most of the injured people have since been discharged from hospitals.

Local media is back in action again in the Himalayan nation after setbacks such as the burning of media outlets, including Kantipur Television, which has now resumed broadcasting following fire damage to its building.

“The situation is getting better and security agencies are trying to restore law and order,” spokesman Ram said.

He added that the curfew relaxation was extended to five hours in the morning, with an additional two-hour window in the evening for social activities.

“It depends on analysis of the security situation,” Ram said when asked when the restrictions would be lifted.