Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has once again reshaped her Cabinet, inducting Sudha Sharma Gautam and Bablu Gupta in a third-round expansion that brings the total to ten ministers — one short of her self-declared cap of eleven.
Who Joined the Cabinet
At a ceremony in Sheetal Niwas on Sunday, President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the two appointees on Karki’s recommendation.
- Dr Sudha Sharma Gautam, a former health secretary (2008–2011) and veteran gynaecologist-obstetrician, now heads the Ministry of Health and Population. Beyond public service, she has consulted for international health agencies and authored two acclaimed books — Singhadarbar ko Ghumne Mech, a memoir of bureaucracy, and Aprameya, a reflection on social and personal life.
- Bablu Gupta, a social activist and founder of the education-focused nonprofit 100 Group, assumes charge of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Gupta gained national attention during the Gen Z anti-corruption movement of September 8–9, which catalysed the fall of the KP Oli government and paved the way for Karki’s interim leadership.
According to sources close to the Prime Minister’s Office, this lineup may remain intact until the general election scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Two Nominees Withdrawn at the Last Moment
The expansion again came wrapped in controversy. Four names had reportedly been forwarded for appointment, yet only two made it to the podium.
- Khagendra Sunar, a Dalit activist once slated for the Labour, Employment and Social Security portfolio, was dropped after reports surfaced of multiple criminal cases and an outstanding arrest warrant. He faces charges ranging from contempt of court to violations under the Electronic Transactions Act and allegations of assault.
- Ganapati Lal Shrestha, known for decades of work in heritage preservation, was initially considered for the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. The appointment fell through after disagreement over his preferred post — he had sought the Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation portfolio instead.
Insiders say Shrestha could still be reconsidered if consensus emerges on ministry assignment.
Familiar Pattern of Controversy
This is not the first turbulence for the Karki administration. During a previous expansion on September 22, the proposed appointment of Sangeeta Mishra as Health Minister was cancelled after corruption allegations surfaced. Mishra, an additional secretary at the same ministry, later faced a formal case by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority alongside 14 others.
Chief Advisor Ajaya Bhadra Khanal acknowledged that the recurring friction stems from the absence of a formal vetting system for ministerial nominees.
“Revealing names early invites pressure from interest groups,” he said. “Keeping them confidential reduces interference but risks missing red flags in a candidate’s history.”
A Cabinet Balancing Act
Karki’s third reshuffle in under two months reflects an effort to balance political symbolism with administrative function. By elevating technocrats and activists, her team seeks to maintain credibility amid reform pledges and youth-driven expectations.
Yet each appointment — and omission — underscores the fragility of interim governance in a country still navigating the aftershocks of protest and transition.
Buzz Takeway
For a government born out of civic uprising, every new face carries weight.
Karki’s latest expansion blends experience and activism, but also exposes how thin the line is between reform and reaction.
As Nepal heads toward March’s election, her Cabinet may hold — but the debate over who deserves to lead change is only growing louder.
Source: based on verified reporting from The Kathmandu Post and official government statements
