KATHMANDU: Amid speculations on the issue of filling the vacant post of Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe has hinted at the possibility of stepping down ‘soon’.
Nepal Communist Party (NCP) sources said Tumbahamphe is likely to step down before December 20—the day when the winter session of the Federal Parliament begins — to pave the way for a party leader – either former Speaker Subash Chandra Nemwang or Agni Prasad Sapkota — to take charge of the Speaker.
“Most probably, Nemwang will be chosen,” a party source said insisting anonymity.
Tumbahamphe’s resignation is likely as NCP senior leaders have currently intensified discussions to choose a new Speaker as the chair is lying vacant after the then Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara resigned from the post amid allegations of rape.
The NCP wants Tumbahamphe to step down at the earliest. “Tumbahamphe is also one of the contenders for the post,” the source said. They said while Prime Minister K P Oli is in favor of Nemwang for his past experiences, NCP Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal wants to pick Sapkota to the coveted post.
Comment