Question of credibility

Nomination of questionable figures as ministers will make people doubt the government’s intent.

The Cabinet’s shape and size are a strong indication of a government’s priorities. The new interim government, headed by former chief justice Sushila Karki, has inducted some worthy figures in the government. Inclusion of the likes of Kulman Ghising, Rameshore Khanal and Om Prakash Aryal in the first round of ministerial picks signalled the prime minister’s commitment to clean and efficient governance. The subsequent enlisting as ministers of various Gen Z representatives has also lent the government greater legitimacy in the eyes of the members of this generation, who were at the forefront of the early September revolt against the old order. But because there are so many claimants for the leadership of the Gen Z protests, some dubious names have also been floated by various interest groups, as ministers. In this time of transition, that is something normal. More surprising is the fact that the government has actually proposed these candidates as ministers. For one, there seems to be little vetting of the backgrounds of these individuals. Moreover, the Karki government also appears to be under pressure to make certain appointments.