KATHMANDU: With the election for Speaker and Deputy Speaker scheduled for Sunday, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has intensified internal and inter-party consultations over whom to back for the Deputy Speaker position.
The party has already decided to field its Vice President Dol Prasad Aryal as its candidate for Speaker. As per constitutional provisions, the Speaker is elected from the ruling side, while the Deputy Speaker must come from the opposition.
RSP leaders are currently engaged in discussions with multiple parties to finalize a consensus candidate. Second-rung leaders of the party have reportedly held talks with Harka Sampang, chair of the Shram Sanskriti Party, Gyanendra Shahi, parliamentary party leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party.
Lawmakers have confirmed that discussions between Dahal and RSP President Rabi Lamichhane were held via telephone regarding the Deputy Speaker post. Lamichhane has also held talks with Sampang on the same issue.
Parallel discussions are ongoing with the RPP. Shahi has already indicated his party’s readiness to support RSP in securing a two-thirds majority if political understanding is reached.
Leaders from these parties have expressed willingness to align with RSP, provided their respective parties are offered the Deputy Speaker position. Lawmakers Ramesh Malla and Dhruba Rai have confirmed that initial discussions have taken place, although further negotiations are still pending.
Within RSP, there are differing views. Some leaders favor offering the post to the Shram Sanskriti Party in a bid to consolidate emerging alternative forces, while others argue that giving the position to the Nepali Communist Party could help build broader political consensus and strengthen presence in the National Assembly.
Party President Lamichhane is said to be inclined toward backing Sampang’s party. However, Prime Minister Balen Shah is reportedly not fully convinced. A recent meeting between Shah and Sampang on Thursday has, however, fueled speculation that differences between them may be easing.
“There is growing sentiment to prioritize alternative forces like Shram Sanskriti over traditional parties,” an RSP source said. “At the same time, there are voices suggesting the Nepal Communist Party could be a viable option for broader national consensus.”
Leaders believe that if emerging forces unite, the Shram Sanskriti Party stands a strong chance of securing the Deputy Speaker post. The RPP also remains an option. With RSP holding 182 seats, an alliance with RPP’s five seats would push the tally to 187—above the two-thirds majority threshold.
Nepali Congress, UML ruled out
The main opposition Nepali Congress and CPN- UML are unlikely to secure the Deputy Speaker position. RSP has decided not to offer the post to UML, while Nepali Congress, being the principal opposition, is also out of contention.
Some leaders have also raised concerns over ideological differences with RPP, potentially complicating negotiations.
Who could be the face?
With Aryal nominated for Speaker, the Deputy Speaker must be a woman, in line with constitutional requirements mandating gender diversity in the two posts.
The Shram Sanskriti Party has three female lawmakers elected under the proportional representation system: Rubi Kumari Thakur from Dhanusha, Ambika Devi Sangraula from Jhapa, and Radhika Ramtel from Surkhet.
Among them, Thakur and Ramtel are seen as strong contenders. Party leaders, including Sampang, are said to be discussing these two names, although some insiders claim that no formal deliberation on candidates has taken place yet.
If an agreement is reached, Shram Sanskriti leaders appear keen to accept the Deputy Speaker role.
On the other hand, the Nepal Communist Party is likely to nominate Balawati Sharma if it secures the position. Sharma, who holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and a law degree, is a former interim legislature member and a veteran of the Maoist insurgency.
Despite ongoing discussions, RSP has yet to reach a final decision, with consultations continuing across all three parties.
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