KATHMANDU, April 6: Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, the newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), assumed office on Sunday at the Federal Parliament Secretariat in Singha Durbar. Elected from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which holds nearly two-thirds of the HoR seats, Aryal now faces the delicate challenge of rising above party lines to maintain impartiality—a test that will largely define his tenure.
Former Federal Parliament Secretary Som Bahadur Thapa said that while the opposition is numerically weak, it remains qualitatively significant. “The biggest challenge now lies with Aryal himself,” Thapa said. “He must rise above party interests and become the Speaker for all. In the past, many formally left their parties but could not abandon party loyalties internally, which created problems.”
Thapa emphasized strengthening parliamentary practices as a top priority. He added that ending executive interference in lawmaking and empowering parliamentary committees are key challenges for the Speaker. “Executive intervention in legislative processes has been evident, and committees need to be stronger than before,” he said. He also highlighted the Speaker’s responsibility to ensure that legitimate questions raised by the opposition are addressed and to hold the Prime Minister and Cabinet accountable.
Independent HoR member Mahabir Pun advised Aryal to rely on his own judgment. Speaking to journalists after the House meeting, Pun said, “I am not here to give suggestions. A person like the Speaker must think independently and do what is right.”
RSP nominates DP Aryal for Speaker
Aryal was declared Speaker without opposition during Sunday’s HoR session, presided over temporarily by senior member Arjun Narsingh KC. Following his election, he took his oath of office and secrecy from President Ram Chandra Paudel at Sheetal Niwas, in the presence of Prime Minister Balendra Shah and other top officials.
The 275-member HoR includes 182 RSP seats, giving the party a near two-thirds majority. It was therefore no surprise that other parties did not field candidates. Parties like Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Nepali Communist Party, Shram Sanskriti Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party remain numerically weak in the House. According to parliamentary rules, if there is a single candidate, the House hears endorsements before declaring the candidate elected uncontested—a process that led Aryal to the Speaker’s chair.
By taking the position, Aryal has, in principle, stepped beyond party politics. While RSP now leads both the executive and legislative branches, the weak opposition tilts parliamentary power. In Nepal’s parliamentary system, the Speaker not only conducts sessions but also safeguards discipline, procedures, and democratic practice. Aryal, a former RSP vice-chair, must now prove his impartiality.
Shram Sanskriti Party Chair and MP Harka Raj Rai (Sampang) expressed hope that Aryal would remain neutral, noting that past Speakers often failed to rise above party interests. “The country suffered when leaders protected the guilty,” Sampang said. “This mandate is different. Aryal has a chance to lead impartially. The Speaker must act as a guardian of all members, giving even more time and importance to the opposition.”
Sampang added that the opposition would continue to play a constructive role, applauding government initiatives while checking deviations. “A Parliament without an opposition is impossible. They cannot just be bystanders,” he said.
Maintaining impartiality in House proceedings will be Aryal’s key challenge. Without it, accusations of sidelining the opposition may arise, and every decision will be closely watched. While RSP’s majority may facilitate lawmaking, Aryal must prioritise proper legislative procedures over speed. Past lapses in impartiality have led to parliamentary disruptions; vigilance will be crucial to avoid repeating these mistakes.
The RSP’s strong presence provides an opportunity for Parliament to function effectively. Long-standing political instability, coalition conflicts, and back-and-forth disputes are unlikely in this House. Yet, such dominance comes with the risk of “majority misuse,” which could threaten democratic balance. Expectations are high for Aryal to bring a new approach—making Parliament digital and transparent, publishing MPs’ attendance and activities, enabling open and participatory bill discussions, and revitalising committees. Success in these areas could define him not just as Speaker but as an institutional reformer.
“Even if the opposition is weak, their role does not end. Respecting smaller parties strengthens democracy,” Thapa said. “If Aryal ignores the opposition, Parliament may appear one-sided. Inclusive conduct will make him widely respected.”
Aryal’s journey from labourer to the nation’s top constitutional post is inspiring, but now the story must transform into responsibility. He must redefine himself as the guardian of Parliament, not a party leader—this will measure his success.
The coming months will be critical. How the first session is conducted, the handling of controversial bills, and relations with the opposition will shape his leadership. Aryal’s selection as Speaker is both an opportunity and a test for Nepal. “If he chooses the path of balance, transparency, and inclusivity, this tenure could set an example for the country,” Thapa said. “If Parliament becomes merely a tool of the majority, this opportunity will be lost.”
