We will retaliate if action is taken against Deputy Speaker: RSP

KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has warned it will retaliate if any action is taken against Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar.

“We won’t disclose the nature of our retaliation now, but we will respond if any action is taken against her,” Manish Jha, joint spokesperson of the RSP, said in a press meet at the party head office in Balaju on Thursday.

Rana Magar was elected to the House of Representatives from the RSP and subsequently became Deputy Speaker. However, she resigned from the party’s general membership after being elected to this position.

The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML have accused Rana Magar of violating the code of conduct associated with her position. Calls for her resignation have been echoing in the parliament as well. UML lawmakers have said that Rana Magar should step down, while NC has formally urged the Deputy Speaker to clear the way, given the controversy surrounding her.

In early July, a letter became public in which Deputy Speaker Rana Magar had requested the US Embassy in Kathmandu to reschedule interview times for five people who she referred to as her team members. She, however, did not specify the roles of those individuals in the letter. Questions were raised about her attempt to send five men to an event related to women’s issues.

When questioned about the letter, Rana Magar admitted to writing it but clarified that she had no ill intentions.

NC and UML have stated that they would bring a motion to remove the Deputy Speaker by following parliamentary procedures if she does not step down. The two parties have already issued circulars to their respective lawmakers to not leave Kathmandu Valley until September 19.