KATHMANDU: A consensus has been reached within the ruling alliance to confer the position of Speaker of the National Assembly, vacant from March 4, to the Nepali Congress (NC) party.
Speaking to Khabarhub, a Maoist Center leader said even though no written agreement has been made, but due to the Congress’s substantial presence, the position naturally aligns with them.
As of March 4, the term of 20 NA members, including the current National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, will come to an end.
Others NA members comprise 9 from CPN-UML, 4 from Nepali Congress, 3 from the Maoist Center, and 3, including Khimlal Devkota, from the Unified Socialist Party.
Likewise, the term of one NA member from the Janata Samajwadi Party is also coming to an end.
Elections are scheduled for January 25 to fill the 19 seats that will be vacant on March 4.
During this election, 19 MPs will be elected, while one MP will be nominated by the President based on the Council of Ministers’ recommendation.
The Nepali Congress asserts its claim to 4 out of the 9 seats expected to be lost by the UML in the elections, solidifying its stance within the alliance to secure a total of 8 seats.
Despite lengthy discussions between Nepali Congress and Maoist leaders in Baluwatar on Tuesday, no conclusive decision was reached.
Meanwhile, NC President Deuba is adamant about appointing Krishna Prasad Sitaula as the Speaker of the National Assembly, even though the names of Dr. Shekhar Koirala and Bimalendra Nidhi are also under consideration.
Dr. Koirala’s Secretariat has indicated that he has no intention of joining the National Assembly.
Among the potential candidates from the Congress for the National Assembly, names include Min Bishwakarma from Dalit quota, Dina Mahalakshmi from Bagmati (women quota), Sujata Koirala, Pushpa Bhusal, and Dhana Khatiwada (women quota), Madan Shrestha from Bagmati for the disabled, and Gopal Deuba from Sudurpaschim Province.
There is also discussion about Gopalman Shrestha from Gandaki, as well as Sabuj Baniya, Krishna Kishore Ghimire, Bhupendra Jung Shahi, Manoj Mani Acharya, and Taranath Dahal, the former President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists.
A recent meeting of the Congress Central Committee at Sanepa discussed numerous names from different provinces.
Amidst the array of names being considered for the National Assembly within the Nepali Congress, internal disputes over prioritization have emerged, creating complexities in the decision-making process.
A source stated, “New names are outweighing the old ones. While it is imperative to give the new entrants their chance, the senior leaders are hesitant to embrace this change. Managing this transition poses a significant challenge.”
Krishna Prasad Paudel, the Chief Secretary of the Congress Central Office, highlighted that finalizing the issue of names would require time.
He commented, “It is natural for numerous names to surface in a party like Nepali Congress. This process seems time-consuming.”
Two factions have emerged within the Nepali Congress, with Sitaula leading one group. On the other side, the Shekhar faction is advocating for four seats, a proposition met with reluctance from NC President Deuba.
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