KATHMANDU: Following the resignation of National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairperson Urmila Aryal, a race ensues among political factions to secure the coveted position.
The CPN UML and Unified Socialist have initiated efforts for the position. Among the notable figures under consideration are Bimala Ghimire of CPN-UML and Madan Kumari Sah (Garima) of the Socialist Party.
Sah, serving as the Central Secretary of the Unified Socialist Party, presents a formidable candidacy.
Narayan Dahal of the Maoist Center has already assumed the role of Chairman of the National Assembly following an alliance with the CPN-UML, further reshaping the political landscape.
In response to Aryal’s resignation, both the UML and Unified Socialist stake their claims for the vacant vice chairpersonship.
The Unified Socialist, advocating for a unified approach, insist on securing the vice chairperson position, along with a nomination by the president, as part of their coalition agreement.
Leaders speculate that Bimala Ghimire may rise to prominence if the UML retains its hold on the vice chairpersonship, indicating potential shifts in the political landscape.
During the vote for Narayan Dahal’s Chairpersonship, the Unified Socialist asserted their entitlement to the vice chairpersonship, setting a precedent for their current demands.
Devendra Dahal, leader of UML’s parliamentary party in the National Assembly, asserted that his party’s rightful claim to the vice chairpersonship, indicating potential candidates from within their ranks.
Amidst the deliberations, Jagannath Khatiwada of the Unified Socialist emphasized the necessity for broader agreements on critical issues such as the Constitutional Council, provincial distribution, and ministerial appointments.
Despite the complexities, consensus appears to be forming among the five parties on granting the vice presidency to the Unified Socialist, marking a significant step forward in the ongoing negotiations.
It should be noted that an agreement was reached among key political figures, including UML Chairman KP Oli, Maoist Chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, and Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Chairman Upendra Yadav, outlining eight crucial points.
Notably, it was stipulated that the National Assembly Speaker and Vice Chair positions would be allocated to the UML by the Maoists.
It should be noted that Madhav Kumar Nepal, Chairman of the United Socialist Party, joined the alliance, consenting to seven points.
In this agreement, while the Maoist Center’s candidate was endorsed for the NC Chair, there was a conspicuous absence of clarity regarding the allocation of the vice chairperson.
This omission effectively nullified the previous assurance that the Vice Chairperson would be granted to the UML.
In a subsequent joint statement issued within eight days of the ruling coalition’s formation, the inclusion of the Janata Samajwadi Party further underscored the evolving dynamics.
Discussions between Oli and Nepal revealed a degree of flexibility from the UML regarding the allocation of the vice chair to the Unified Socialist.
A leader from the party suggested that Madan Kumari Shah (Garima) could emerge as a strong candidate due to her central role within the party.
Leaders speculate that Bimala Ghimire may rise to prominence if the UML retains its hold on the vice chairpersonship, indicating potential shifts in the political landscape.
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