The Ditible
Kathmandu – In a move to assert its position as the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress has decided to field a candidate for the chairperson of the National Assembly, the upper house of the Nepalese parliament.
The decision was taken during a meeting of current and former office bearers of the party, chaired by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, at his residence in Budhanilkantha on Saturday.
“The Nepali Congress has decided to contest the upcoming election for the National Assembly chairperson’s post,” confirmed senior leader Arjun Narsingh KC after the meeting. However, the party has yet to finalize its candidates for the chairperson and vice-chairperson positions.
KC stated that the party would consult with other opposition forces to seek their support for its candidate in the National Assembly chair election. The meeting also discussed the changed political landscape following the formation of a new ruling alliance led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
The Nepali Congress found itself in the opposition after Prachanda inducted ministers from other parties, including the CPN-UML, into his cabinet, effectively ending the party’s participation in the ruling coalition.
Saturday’s meeting focused on defining the Nepali Congress’s role as the principal opposition party in parliament, given the evolving power dynamics.
The National Assembly, the upper house of the bicameral parliament, consists of 59 members, with 56 elected from seven provinces and three nominated by the President on the recommendation of the government. The chairperson and vice-chairperson are elected from among the members.
By contesting the National Assembly chairperson’s election, the Nepali Congress aims to establish its presence and influence in the upper house, ensuring a robust opposition voice in the parliamentary system.
