Maoist Center warns of protests if Deputy Speaker Rana is removed

Published On: September 10, 2024 03:35 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 10: The CPN (Maoist Center) has stated that they will launch protests if the ruling alliance removes Deputy Speaker Indira Rana from her position.

Speaking during the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, Maoist Center Chief Whip Hit Raj Pandey expressed the party's opposition to the move to remove Rana.

“If the media reports that Honorable Indira Rana is to be removed are true, our party strongly protests and opposes such an action,” he said. He also urged the ruling parties to clarify the matter.

Earlier, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) opposed the ruling alliance's move to remove Rana. RSP Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar stated that discussions among political parties to remove the Deputy Speaker are unacceptable for democracy.

RSP lawmakers Sumana Shrestha and Sobita Gautam have also urged against discouraging the Deputy Speaker.

Meanwhile, in the HoR meeting, lawmakers from the CPN-UML have demanded the resignation of Deputy Speaker Rana. They have warned that if she does not resign, they will be compelled to remove her for not adhering to the conduct expected of her position.

UML MP Hemraj Rai stated that there should be no compulsion to remove her from the position.

“The Deputy Speaker is a dignified personality in this parliament. It is unfortunate that no clarification has been provided regarding the allegations. If there are issues concerning the Deputy Speaker, the truth should be communicated to parliament. There should be no situation that forces the house to proceed with matters like impeachment,” UML MP Rai said.

Several other UML lawmakers, including Surya Prasad Dhakal, Shobha Gyawali, Saraswati Subba, and others, have also urged Deputy Speaker Rana to facilitate the process by stepping down.

The HoR is witnessing a heated debate regarding the Deputy Speaker’s resignation.

It is reported that in a meeting of top leaders of the ruling alliance held at Baluwatar on Monday, UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli proposed filing an impeachment motion against Rana, and this proposal has been accepted by other ruling partners.