Dol Prasad Aryal Elected as 10th Speaker of the House of Representatives

Kathmandu. Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, Vice-Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has been unanimously elected as the 10th Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. Senior member Arjun Narsingh KC, who was presiding over Sunday's session, announced Aryal's election.

The newly elected MP Aryal was elected from Kathmandu-9 in the House of Representatives election held on Falgun 21. Aryal secured 35,093 votes, while his closest rival, Nanimaiya Bastola of the Congress, received 5,460 votes.

Having won a near two-thirds majority, the RSP has formed a single-majority government under the leadership of senior leader Balendra Shah. As a former Minister of Labor, Aryal was in the running to become the Home Minister in the powerful government formed under his party's leadership. Although Chairman Rabi wanted to appoint him as Home Minister to utilize his executive skills, senior leader Balen pushed for his close associate Sunil Lamsal. After failing to reach a consensus between Aryal and Lamsal, Balen proposed Sudhan Gurung. Following Gurung's appointment as Home Minister, Aryal was successfully positioned as the Speaker. RSP leaders have clarified that he was chosen for his composure, political acumen, and ability to play a coordinating role.

However, by becoming Speaker, Aryal's active political career will be on hold for at least five years, as the constitutional provision requires the Speaker to remain non-partisan.

Who is Speaker Aryal?

Born in 2032 BS in Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality (formerly Maidi VDC) of Dhading to a farming family, Aryal moved to Kathmandu in 2049 BS for employment. He initially worked as a laborer in a restaurant before moving to Japan for foreign employment in 2053 BS.

Aryal worked in Japan for about 8 years. Upon returning to Nepal, he ventured into the tourism sector. He invested in tourism, educational consultancy, cooperatives, and education, including Sumire Tours and Travels, Yokohama Japanese Language Academy, HEMS School, Jansagar Savings and Credit Cooperative, and Easy Link Remittance. He served as the CEO of Easy Link Remittance.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aryal was active in distributing oxygen cylinders and providing relief. He has been active in the tourism and cooperative sectors for two decades and involved in remittance services for about 15 years.

Turning to Politics

Before 2079 BS, Aryal was not openly affiliated with any political party. He connected with television presenter Rabi Lamichhane in 2074 BS while seeking support for hospital construction in Kalikot. Together with Rabi and Dr. Mukul Dhakal, they concluded that an alternative political party was needed to reform Nepal's political system. Consequently, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was announced in Ashar 2079 BS under Lamichhane's leadership, with Aryal serving as Vice-Chairman. He became a member of the House of Representatives through the proportional representation list five months after the party's formation.

Aryal served as the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security on Magh 2, 2079 BS, under the then Prime Minister Prachanda. However, the RSP left the government on Magh 22 following the Supreme Court's order regarding Chairman Rabi's eligibility. He served as minister for 20 days. He became the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security for a second time on Falgun 23, 2080 BS, and left the government on Ashar 31, 2081 BS, following the formation of the Congress-UML coalition. In total, he served as a minister for four months and 28 days.

Following the recommendation of a high-level investigation committee, Chairman Rabi was arrested on Kartik 2, 2081 BS. With the Chairman in jail, the responsibility of leading the party fell to Aryal. He successfully navigated the party through internal conflicts and external pressures, playing a key role in unifying the party with various groups, including the Bibeksheel Sajha and former Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah's faction, earning praise from Rabi for his efforts in preserving the party.