KATHMANDU, Dec 13: With the winter session of parliament set to begin on December 20, ruling Nepal Communist Party leaders have intensified internal lobbying for the coveted post of parliament speaker.

The position of speaker is vacant since the first week of October following the resignation of Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who has been accused of rape attempt and is currently in jail for investigations.

At least six ruling party leaders are eyeing the speaker’s post, according to party insiders. 

Top party leaders are under pressure over how to pick a candidate for speaker, mainly due to two reasons – firstly, Deputy Speaker Shivamaya Tumbahamphe’s refusal to resign her post and secondly, there are several contenders for the post. 

Stating that she should have the first claim over the speaker’s post, the deputy speaker is reluctant to quit her post. Her party, NCP, wants to elect another leader as speaker, questioning her ability to chair the parliament. 

A section of leaders including Prime Minister KP Oli want to appoint three-times speaker Subas Nembag, citing his past experience. 

NCP leaders representing the former Maoist camp, however, are claiming the position saying the speaker’s position should be given to them as Mahara was from the former Maoist camp. The Maoist camp in the NCP wants Agni Sapkota appointed as speaker. Similarly, other leaders from the Maoist camp including Dev Gurung, Haribol Gajurel and Pampha Bhusal are also eyeing the post, according to party insiders.

Despite multiple claims for the post of speaker, top leaders – Oli and executive chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal – have not done anything about it, according to leaders. 

Meanwhile, in a bid to balance internal dynamics in the party, a section of leaders has proposed to ask National Assembly Chairperson Ganesh Timsina to resign from the position and elect a leader from the former Maoist camp. The group wants to offer the National Assembly chairperson position to Dinanath Sharma, who represents former Maoists in the party. 

NCP leader Sharma, however, said he was not aware about the development nor have the party leaders consulted him about replacing the National Assembly chairperson. 

“I just arrived in Kathmandu from Dailekh. Party leaders have not consulted me so far,” he said. 

Party leaders have exerted pressure on top leaders to decide the candidate for speaker at the earliest. A meeting of the standing committee is expected to discuss about the speaker candidate before the parliament’s winter session begins on December 20. 

An advisor to Prime Minister Oli said Nembang is Oli’s first choice. He hoped the party will decide to field Nembang after holding discussions among top leaders soon. 

“Since the party has already been merged into one there is no need to seek quotas in government positions or bargain in the party. Such appointments should be made as per individual competency and ability,” said the advisor.

 
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