KATHMANDU: The CPN-Maoist Center, currently in power, has firmly asserted its right to the position of National Assembly (NA) Chairman.

During today’s parliamentary party meeting held at Singha Durbar, Prime Minister and party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ conveyed that, being the largest party in the Upper House, the Maoist Center would claim the role of NA Chairman.

Quoting Prime Minister Dahal, Maoist Center Secretary Devendra Poudel stated, “As the largest party in the National Assembly, we have the rightful claim to the chairmanship.”

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress (NC), the largest party in the parliament and a member of the ruling coalition, is reportedly preparing to nominate Krishna Prasad Sitaula, a newly elected lawmaker, as its candidate for NA Chairman.

According to sources within the NC, President Sher Bahadur Deuba has assured Sitaula that he will be appointed as the NA Chair.

It is reported that the Maoist Center and other coalition parties initially agreed to let the NC lead the NA. However, after the NC’s floor-crossing during the NA election in Koshi, the Maoist Center is now seeking the chairmanship as compensation.

NC candidate Sitaula secured victory in the Koshi region, while another candidate from the ruling coalition, Maoist Center’s Champa Karki, lost due to NC floor-crossing.

With pressure mounting from Maoist Center leaders, Chairman Dahal is being urged not to relinquish the party’s claim in the NA, as it could result in the party having no representation in the Constitutional Council after transferring the premiership to other parties.