KATHMANDU, May 19:cRadhika Shakya, spouse of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, has clarified that she has no interest in entering politics.
Speaking at a book discussion event in Kathmandu on Monday, Shakya said her newly released memoir, Karuna, is a personal reflection, not a political statement. “I’m not someone who would engage in politics. If I had chosen that path, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have,” she said.
Shakya emphasized that her intention behind writing the book was to document her life experiences. “I didn’t write it to send a message. It’s my personal archive, whether others find it useful or not,” she added.
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Rejecting any speculation about political ambitions, including the possibility of becoming Prime Minister herself, Shakya remarked, “Even if I held that position, the country wouldn’t necessarily be better off. Doing even the simplest things in government is difficult. One person alone can’t fix politics.”
Responding to the queries of journalists, Shakya candidly shared her concerns about her husband’s health, criticizing his erratic routine. “He often holds meetings or reads until 1 or 2 AM. I wish he’d sleep 8–10 hours for his health, but I haven’t been able to change that pattern,” she said.
She praised Oli’s sharp memory and detailed knowledge of Nepal’s geography. “He remembers everything he reads or hears. While flying, he points out mountain ranges by name—I still only remember Everest, Gaurishankar, and Kanchenjunga,” she said with a laugh.
The couple, she said, share similar perspectives on life and national affairs. However, she identified political instability as a major obstacle to development. “Governments are barely formed before rumors of their collapse begin. This makes bureaucrats reluctant to act,” she said.
According to Shakya, political stability is essential for development, and the responsibility for ensuring it lies not just with leaders but also with the public and media. She also stated that she stays out of her husband's political dealings. “Many people come to meet him, but I don’t take interest in who they are or what they discuss.”
Shakya said she and Oli have never used their positions to secure appointments or favors. “People know I won’t help with such requests, so they don’t ask. Some even try pressuring my siblings instead. One of my sisters had to move because she was tired of such approaches,” she revealed.
Commenting on Shakya’s book Karuna at the event organized by Press Chautari Nepal, senior journalist Babita Basnet described Shakya as a woman of dignity with no evident political aspirations, despite being married to a four-time Prime Minister. She recalled an incident from the book where Shakya, after topping Nepal Rastra Bank's officer exams, was accused of benefiting from favoritism because Oli was Home Minister. “A parliamentary probe confirmed her merit, yet society still doubts capable women married to powerful men. That’s unfair,” Basnet noted.
Professor Devi Nepal also spoke about the book during the event.
