RPP Isolated in Deputy Speaker Election as Major Parties Back Shram Sanskriti Candidate

Kathmandu. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has become isolated in the election for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. With all other five parties in the House declaring their support for the Shram Sanskriti Party candidate, Thakur, the RPP stands alone.

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Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal had scheduled the election for Friday at 4 PM. Following his directive, Federal Parliament Secretariat Secretary Harka Rai published the election schedule, setting the nomination window for Thursday between 11 AM and 2 PM.

Within the designated time, RPP lawmaker Saraswati Lama and Shram Sanskriti Party lawmaker Ruby Kumari Thakur registered their candidacies. Federal Parliament Secretariat spokesperson Ekaram Giri confirmed the registrations.

Ruby Kumari's candidacy was proposed by Shram Sanskriti Party lawmaker Aryan Rai and seconded by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Ashok Kumar Chaudhary and Shram Sanskriti lawmaker Ambika Devi Niraula.

Similarly, Lama's candidacy was proposed by RPP parliamentary party leader Gyan Bahadur Shahi and seconded by fellow RPP lawmakers Khusbu Oli, Tahir Ali, and Bharat Giri.

To be elected Deputy Speaker in the 275-member House, 138 votes are required. Neither the Shram Sanskriti Party nor the RPP can reach this threshold alone.

Both candidates require support from other parties. The House composition includes RSP (182), Nepali Congress (38), CPN-UML (25), Communist Party of Nepal (18), Shram Sanskriti Party (7), and RPP (5), with Mahabir Pun serving as an independent.

RSP General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti stated that his party would support Thakur. RSP spokesperson Manish Jha confirmed the decision, noting that Ashok Kumar Chaudhary would serve as a supporter.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradeep Paudel also confirmed support for Thakur, stating, "We do not align with the RPP's ideology, and they did not consult us."

UML Vice-Chair Guru Baral and Communist Party of Nepal lawmaker Ramesh Malla also affirmed their parties' support for the Shram Sanskriti candidate.

Following a meeting of opposition parties on Thursday morning and the subsequent backing from the ruling RSP, Thakur's election as Deputy Speaker appears almost certain.