Are NC, UML trying to remove Deputy Speaker?*

KATHMANDU: The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML have both called emergency meetings of their parliamentary parties.

A UML lawmaker said the meeting was convened without publicly disclosing the agenda. “There isn’t much detail about the agenda. However, there is talk of initiating a process to remove the Deputy Speaker,” the lawmaker said.

Similarly, an NC leader told Himal Press that their parliamentary party meeting is currently underway.

The two parties are reportedly preparing to move a motion against Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar, accusing her of involvement in human trafficking.

In February 2023, Rana allegedly requested visa interview dates from the US Embassy for individuals unrelated to her official duties in her letterpad. The ruling parties had collected signatures to remove her in September last year, but dropped the plan due to fear of public backlash.

Now, they are attempting to remove her again, partly because the NC lacks representation in the Constitutional Council.

Currently, the government does not hold a majority in the Constitutional Council. Of the six members of the council, three—the leader of the main opposition, the National Assembly Chairperson, and the Deputy Speaker—are from opposition parties.

Without a majority in the council, the government has been failing to fill vacant positions in various constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission. Replacing the Deputy Speaker with someone from the ruling alliance will ensure a majority for the government in the council.

(*Corrected due to factual error)