Expectations from a Karki-led government facing challenges in terms of good governance

Expectations from a Karki-led government facing challenges in terms of good governance

Dr. Khimlal Devkota

Member of the Constituent Assembly and Senior Advocate

Introduction

Good governance is the cornerstone of democratic stability, justice, and development. It refers to the effective, transparent, accountable, and participatory use of power in the management of the country's resources and affairs. In Nepal's political landscape, leadership transitions have often come with hopes of reform and disappointment in performance. Among those who have captured the public's attention for their integrity, courage, and commitment to justice, Sushila Karki stands out as a rare figure. Whether she is in this position by necessity or by someone's design, the future will confirm. However, the ethics and judicial activism she demonstrated as the first female Chief Justice before becoming Prime Minister continue to pave the way for discussions about the kind of governance Nepal wants.

This article discusses the expectations that the Nepali people and democratic institutions have of a Prime Minister like Sushila Karki. It is natural to expect more from Sushila Karki, who is especially imbued with a deep understanding of law, ethics, and justice, especially in the context of good governance. Especially her statement that corruption can be ended in a week, even if it is only five of her leaders, has become a yardstick by which to measure her.

The six-month government, with the election as its main responsibility, faced the sarcasm of the ousted Prime Minister, her own prejudices towards political parties, the controversial past of the government ministers, the situation where the asset details have not been made public so far, and the Council of Ministers has not even been given a complete mandate.

Various demands of various kinds of genji, most of the demands are outside the constitution, the government formed on the foundation of the movement for good governance, the start of the recovery business from hydro, the eternal movement and its economy, youth psychology and on top of that, the bread of foreign interests, the Dalai Lama's death in this mess and the increased interest of the West are the burning issues of Nepali politics today. The current government, eager to travel on the edge of the khukuri by solving all these issues, is on a mountain of challenges. The government is in a dilemma of reaching its destination or surrendering itself.

Less than a month after the formation of the government, there has been an attempt to put pressure by naming another former Chief Justice and a former President. Balen and Sudhan, who were pressuring Oli and Lekhak to arrest them, have given up after a complaint was filed against them. Miraj, Durga, and Nikolas are busy in their shops, and Balen and Victor are busy with hot ashes. Nepali politics is in a place where it is impossible to review. In such an environment, there is a government led by Sushila Karki. It is needless to keep repeating that there is no easy solution like shouting on the streets. In any case, Nepali politics is in the throes of a crisis. If the crisis can be resolved, progress can be made; otherwise, the very existence of the country is in danger. The people have not stopped expecting good governance from a government born in such a background.

1. The challenge of establishing integrity and moral leadership

The foundation of good governance is honesty. The moral commitment to work for the public good rather than personal or party gain is the main thing. The challenges of Nepal's governance largely arise from the crisis of people's trust in the leadership. Sushila Karki, known for her uncompromising stance against corruption and political influence in the judiciary, has naturally expected reform-oriented results.

During her tenure as Chief Justice, her judicial career was characterized by personal integrity and refusal to bow to political pressure, in addition to the appointment of judges. As Prime Minister, similar ethical leadership is expected, one that emphasizes clean politics, transparently declares assets, and ensures that all members of the government adhere to conflict of interest standards. Such ethical leadership can help restore the moral compass of governance in Nepal, inspiring both the bureaucracy and citizens to act ethically.

2. Another challenge is the expectation to strengthen the rule of law

The rule of law is the backbone of democratic governance. Sushila Karki’s legal background will enable her to ensure that laws are implemented fairly and institutions operate independently. One of her landmark decisions as Chief Justice, disqualifying politically connected candidates from government contracts and appointments, demonstrated her belief that no one is above the law. Against this backdrop, as Prime Minister, her approach is likely to focus on:

• ·Ensuring the independence of the judiciary and constitutional commissions from executive interference.
• · Promoting law reforms that are consistent with constitutional principles and international standards.
• ·Implement judicial accountability through transparent appointment and performance appraisal mechanisms.
• ·Strengthen constitutional bodies and other monitoring and oversight institutions to check executive overreach.
• ·Emphasis on the rule of law will prevent arbitrary use of power and promote predictability in governance, an essential feature of good governance.

3. The challenge of systematically combating corruption

Corruption is Nepal’s most entrenched disease, which has become a formidable challenge to governance, undermining development and trust in democracy. Sushila Karki’s judicial history was a continuous effort to discourage corruption and abuse of power. One of theAs Prime Minister, the public expects him to institutionalize anti-corruption reforms and see results. His good governance agenda is likely to include:

• ·  Strengthening the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority through genuine independence and legal clarity.
• ·       Promoting whistleblower protection laws and citizen oversight mechanisms.
• ·       Enhancing transparency in public procurement through digital platforms and audit systems.
• ·       Promoting public officials’ asset disclosures.
• ·       Promoting a culture of accountability at all levels of federal, provincial, and local government.
• Contrary to popular anti-corruption slogans and stunts, his legal approach will emphasize institutional reform, legal safeguards, and citizen empowerment, not political retribution.

4. The challenge of promoting transparency and the right to information

Transparency is a prerequisite for accountability. The Nepalese state has struggled to institutionalize practical transparency beyond the rhetoric of open government. Sushila Karki's government will ensure justice and not be subjected to injustice, which is seen in practice as naturally consistent with the principles of open governance based on the belief that there should be no injustice. In the role of Prime Minister, her initiatives may include the following:

5. The Challenge of Accountability and Performance-Based Governance

Accountability is the belief that those exercising public power are responsible for their actions. Lack of monitoring, weak oversight and political protectionism have weakened Nepal’s governance culture. This government is expected to deliver a different perception, with accountability not seen as punishment, but as a continuous process of performance monitoring. A Karki-led government is likely to do the following:

• ·       Institute performance agreements for ministers, civil servants and public enterprises in practice.
• ·   Strengthen parliamentary committees for effective monitoring, oversight and oversight of all executive decisions of the government.
• ·    Promote post-legislative scrutiny to measure the implementation of laws, assess their effectiveness, and ensure their implementation.
• ·       Encourage the Office of the Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee to work without fear or favor.
• ·   Such systems-based accountability will transform Nepal from a culture of impunity to one of accountability and measurable governance.

6. The challenge of establishing gender justice and inclusive leadership

As the first female Chief Justice, Sushila Karki is a symbol of breaking gender barriers in the history of Nepal’s governance. Prime Minister Karki is expected to further advance gender equality and inclusion not only through representation but also through structural reforms. Her governance priorities are expected to include:

• ·       Ensure 50% representation of women in decision-making bodies.
• ·       Maintain gender-responsive budgeting in all ministries.
• ·  Enforce laws against gender-based violence through fast-track courts and victim-friendly mechanisms.
• ·     Promote inclusive governance that ensures the participation of Dalits, Janajati, Madhesi, Tharu, and persons with disabilities. Her leadership will be particularly effective in redefining how women in power can apply empathy, fairness, and assertiveness, critical elements of good governance in a democracy practiced in a diverse society.

7. The Challenge of Establishing Administrative Reforms and Meritocracy

Nepal’s bureaucracy, which is often criticized for being politicized, needs to be transformed into a merit-based, citizen-serving institution. Sushila Karki’s judicial professionalism will also be able to bring about revolutionary changes in the bureaucracy. With such a background, it is expected that a Prime Minister with such a background will focus on the following:

• ·   Depoliticizing the civil service recruitment and promotion system.
• ·   Expanding the practice of e-governance to reduce arbitrariness and speed up service delivery.
• ·   Establishing a Citizen Charter Evaluation Mechanism to ensure that public services meet the standards of commitment.
• ·    Encouraging capacity building and professional ethics among public officials. These administrative reforms will reduce the potential for corruption, improve efficiency, and make the government more responsive to the needs of citizens..

8. The challenge of maintaining citizen-centric governance

The ultimate goal of good governance is to provide effective and impartial services to citizens. Karki's public image as a judicial leader will not be an obstacle to the development of democracy. As Prime Minister, his governance model will likely be based on the following facts:

• ·      Strengthening federalism, including enhancing the autonomy and capacity of provincial and local governments.
• ·       Promoting participatory planning and community monitoring of local projects.
• ·       Developing efficient grievance redressal mechanisms at all administrative levels.
• ·     Bridging the gap between citizens and the state through digital platforms and social accountability.
• ·    Such a citizen-first governance model will redefine the social contract between the state and the people.

9. The challenge of adopting judicial-executive balance and constitutionality

As a figure who has already led the judiciary, Karki will be ready to be open and transparent about the constitutionality of every executive decision. As Prime Minister, he is also expected to maintain institutional balance and curb the executive encroachment that often plagues Nepali politics. His rule is likely to emphasize the following:

• ·    Prioritizing the separation of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary
• ·     Respecting judicial decisions even when politically inconvenient and inconvenient.
• ·    Providing an environment for constitutional commissions to function independently within their jurisdiction.
• ·    Creating an environment where citizens understand their rights and duties
• ·    This approach will not only curb authoritarian tendencies but also strengthen democratic norms within the governance structure.

10. The Challenge of Implementing a Vision for Sustainable and Just Development

Ultimately, good governance cannot be separated from development. For Sushila Karki, justice and governance are intertwined. Even if the relationship between development and justice is not defined, justice without development is incomplete. A government led by her will seek to integrate the two. To this end, she will promote:

• · Implementing sustainable development policies guided by environmental justice and intergenerational equity;
• ·       Preparing the basis for evidence-based policymaking based on social impact assessments;
• ·       Ensuring integrity in development projects, donor coordination, and transparency in infrastructure agreements, while promoting the national interest;
• ·       Investing in education, health, and access to digital technology to empower citizens as partners in governance.
• ·   This approach links justice with prosperity, ensuring that governance reforms translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.

Conclusion:

Nepal’s democratic journey has been fraught with transitions, frequent changes of government, politicized public institutions, and crises of trust. In this context, Sushila Karki’s government as Prime Minister will be more pragmatic than imaginative. It will embody the nation’s desire for ethical, courageous, and just leadership. Her judicial record reflects the central principles of good governance: integrity, transparency, rule of law, accountability, gender equality, and inclusion. While actual governance will be shaped by political outcomes, the values associated with Karki’s leadership will provide moral and institutional guidelines for Nepal’s democratic future. In a society that longs for clean politics and efficient administration, the expectations from leaders like Sushila Karki, honest, principled, and fearless, are a symbol of hope that good governance in Nepal is not just an aspiration, but a goal that can be achieved through law-based, people-centered, and justice-oriented leadership.