Bagmati Province Parties Reach Consensus to Initiate Speaker Election Process

Hetauda. Political parties in Bagmati Province have reached a consensus to move forward with the process of electing a new Speaker.

During an all-party meeting held on Tuesday afternoon, representatives from both ruling and opposition parties agreed to initiate the appointment process. Consequently, the agenda for Tuesday's 4:00 PM Provincial Assembly meeting will include the matter of the Speaker.

In the meeting, Deputy Speaker Apsara Chapagain is scheduled to present the resignation letter of former Speaker Bhuwan Kumar Pathak. According to constitutional provisions, a new Speaker must be elected within 15 days of the vacancy or resignation.

Today's parliamentary agenda includes reading the notice regarding the Speaker, along with reports and an exchange of greetings. It has been agreed to conduct the assembly session for three days, with a special session scheduled for Wednesday and the tabling of bills and reports on Thursday.

Four Parties Stake Claim for Speaker

With the election process underway, four parties in the Provincial Assembly have staked their claims. The ruling Nepali Congress, coalition partner CPN-UML, the main opposition CPN (Maoist Centre), and the RPP have all expressed their interest in the position.

During the all-party meeting, representatives from all four parties demanded the post. Nepali Congress MP and Public Accounts Committee Chairman Shriram Lamichhane stated that as the largest party, it is natural for the Congress to claim the Speaker's position.

'The process for the Speaker begins today. According to the constitution, the election must be completed within 15 days. As the largest party, our stance is that Congress should hold the Speaker position,' he said. 'Intensive discussions among ruling parties regarding who will take the post are still pending. The RPP is also demanding the position to foster cooperation, while the CPN-UML maintains that since the Chief Minister is from another party, they should hold the Speaker's post.'

In the meeting, opposition leader Shalikram Jamkattel argued that for the sake of power balance, the opposition should hold the Speaker's position. He suggested that since the executive branch is run by the ruling party, the leadership of the legislature should be given to the opposition. He stated that if the ruling party does not reach a consensus, his party will field a candidate.

'We have demanded that they run the government while we lead the house. The opposition's claim is natural for the sake of power balance. It sends a positive message and creates a better working environment in the house,' he said. 'The decision to reach a consensus lies with the ruling party. If they attempt to keep it by force of majority, we will field a candidate and compete.'

Former Speaker Bhuwan Kumar Pathak had announced his resignation during the Gen-Z movement and submitted his letter on Ashoj 1. Due to the house not being in session, it could not be formally presented. After the government prorogued the session, Deputy Speaker Apsara Chapagain issued a notice on Mangsir 4 regarding the resignation.

With this notice being presented in today's meeting, the process to elect a new Speaker will be completed within the next 15 days.