Ruling coalition and opposition clash over Deputy Speaker

Kathmandu, September 10 — The ruling coalition and the opposition are at odds on possible impeachment motion against the Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar. The ruling parties are preparing to remove Magar from her position. During a meeting of the coalition parties on Monday, discussions were held about creating a situation that would allow the Nepali Congress to be represented in the Constitutional Council. The ruling parties have concluded that removing Deputy Speaker Rana Magar is necessary to achieve this.

This issue was debated in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. During the emergency and special sessions of the meeting, the coalition parties urged the Deputy Speaker to resign to facilitate this change, while opposition parties criticized the attempted move as undemocratic.

Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar criticized the move, stating that removing the Deputy Speaker is unacceptable and undermines democracy. He argued that it is undemocratic to dismiss the Deputy Speaker based on political maneuvering and called it an attack on democracy.

Maoist MPs have also condemned the ruling coalition's actions. They joined RSP in opposing the removal of the Deputy Speaker, with Party Chief Whip Hitraj Pandey demanding clarification on the issue.

Maoist MP Hit Bahadur Tamang and others voiced their objections, warning that such actions do not support democratic principles and suggesting that if resignations are demanded on mere allegations, several ministers would have to follow the suit.

Maoist MP Devendra Paudel expressed his intention to protest in support of the Deputy Speaker, asserting that the move does not foster democracy. He called for transparency and questioned whether those pushing for resignations are prepared to face similar scrutiny themselves.

UML Calls for Deputy Speaker's Resignation

During the special and zero hours of the meeting, UML MPs demanded the resignation of Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar on moral grounds. MP Surya Prasad Dhakal argued that the Deputy Speaker should step down due to the controversy surrounding her role, both inside and outside the House.

"The issue of ethics and the Deputy Speaker’s conduct have been raised," Dhakal stated. "I call for her resignation."

MP Gokul Baskota, speaking during a special session, suggested that the Deputy Speaker should resign to address the moral questions raised. "If there are significant concerns about your conduct, you should have the courage to step down," he said. "The law will take its course after that."

MP Shobha Gyawali also questioned the authenticity of a letter written by Deputy Speaker Rana. The letter, reportedly sent to an embassy under her leadership, was intended to arrange a visa interview for a program in the U.S. "What is the truth behind this letter?" Gyawali asked.

The letter, dated February 26, 2023, was written to arrange a visa interview for Rana and others attending the 'NGO CSW67' program in New York. After the letter’s release, a complaint was filed with the Parliament's State Affairs and Good Governance Committee. The ruling party is using this issue to pursue the Deputy Speaker's removal as part of its strategy to strengthen its position in the Constitutional Council.

According to Article 91 of the Constitution, the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives can be declared vacant under certain conditions.

Clause 6(c) of the House of Representatives Rules specifies that if a resolution is passed by a two-thirds majority of the House of Representatives, declaring that the Deputy Speaker has not conducted herself appropriately, the position shall be considered vacant.