The interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, formed in the wake of the September 8-9 Gen Z movement, is facing mounting criticism for its perceived slow progress and controversy over ministerial appointments, among other issues.

While the government struggles to gain momentum, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, who played a key role in its formation, has repeatedly raised concern over the pace of governance and law and order. But sources close to the prime minister say his interventions are more advisory than pressure tactics.

Formed with a mandate to hold elections on March 5 next year, major political parties have accused the government of failing to create an environment conducive to elections. The administration, which replaced the much-derided KP Sharma Oli-led government, is itself being criticised for inefficiency barely six weeks after its formation.

While criticism from political parties of the “citizens’ government” formed amid a fluid political situation can be considered natural, high-level sources privy to the development said Mayor Shah himself has expressed concern with Prime Minister Karki over the government’s pace of work.

Sources claim that, in addition to direct meetings, Prime Minister Karki and Mayor Shah communicate through various channels. According to them, Shah’s concerns mainly revolve around three key issues.

A source close to the prime minister said Shah’s concerns come more in the form of suggestions than pressure.

“There has been frequent communication between the prime minister and the mayor, but those communications are not meant to exert pressure,” said a source close to Prime Minister Karki.

After Karki was appointed prime minister on September 12, Mayor Shah visited her on September 25. “I have also learned that Shah met the prime minister again a few days ago, although I am not aware of the exact date," said the source.

Besides questioning the government’s overall pace, Shah has reportedly raised concerns about its failure to take concrete action against leaders of major political parties.

He has questioned why the government has not acted against former prime minister Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, both of whom allegedly played a role in suppressing the Gen Z movement in September that left over 70 people, mostly youths, dead.

Shah’s third concern, the source said, is that the current government must not repeat the mistakes of its predecessor, particularly in maintaining law and order.

Shah is said to be particularly focused on preventing a recurrence of the kind of destruction witnessed on September 8 and 9, which he believes stemmed from the previous government’s failure to prioritise law and order.

“With various groups reportedly planning new protests, Mayor Shah has been expressing his concerns over law and order with the prime minister,” the source said.

While the government is being criticised for moving too slowly, Gen Z groups are reportedly dissatisfied with the performance of Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal.

Sources close to the home minister claim that at least two of several Gen Z factions have approached Aryal with non-political demands. When those demands were not addressed, they allegedly turned against him.

According to the source, these particular Gen Z factions, mainly close to royalists, have been demanding that the home minister initiate constitutional amendments.

But it is not only royalist factions who are dissatisfied. Sudan Gurung, one of the leaders of the Gen Z movement and who played a role in the formation of the Karki-led government, has also accused Aryal of failing to work as per the spirit of the movement.

“It is not just me who is dissatisfied with the performance of the home minister, other representatives of the Gen Z movement share similar concerns,” Gurung told the Post.

Meanwhile, a few Gen Z representatives claim that Mayor Shah himself is unhappy with Home Minister Aryal. (Aryal was a legal advisor to Mayor Shah prior to his appointment as minister last month.)

They claimed that Shah even discussed with Prime Minister Karki the possibility of replacing the home minister. However, sources close to the prime minister denied this claim.

Aryal has been accused of failing to take visible action on matters linked to his ministry, such as prosecuting former prime minister Oli and former home minister Lekhak, investigating corruption, and maintaining law and order.

The source close to the prime minister said it seems unlikely that Shah, who played a key role in forming the current government, would take any step to weaken it.

“Replacing a powerful minister such as the home minister so soon after the government’s formation would only undermine the government—and that does not appear to be Shah’s intent,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Gurung, one of the Gen Z leaders, also stated that although they are dissatisfied with Home Minister Aryal’s performance, they have no intention of seeking his replacement.