KATHMANDU, JULY 15

A meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today elected whip of the ruling Nepali Congress (NC), Pushpa Bhusal to the post of Deputy Speaker.

In today's HoR meeting, a proposal asking for electing Bhusal to the post of Deputy Speaker through electoral process received 148 votes in her favour whereas her close contender Bidya Bhattarai from main opposition CPN-UML obtained 93 votes. One voter remained neutral in the process.

A total of 242 parliamentarians were present in the meeting. Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota had announced Bhusal elected to the post of Deputy Speaker after receiving majority votes at HoR.

Earlier, chief whip of the ruling coalition partner CPN (Maoist Centre) Dev Prasad Gurung had presented a proposal that HoR member Pushpa Bhusal Gautam to be elected the Deputy Speaker.

CPN (Unified Socialist) parliamentary member Laxmi Kumari Chaudhary had seconded the proposal.

Likewise, UML whip Shanta Chaudhary had presented a proposal asking for electing Bhattarai to the post of Deputy Speaker. UML parliamentarian Krishna Bhakta Pokharel had seconded the proposal.

During the discussion on the proposal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) parliamentarian Rajendra Lingden said his party has lent support to the UML candidate Bhattarai in the Deputy Speaker race.

The post of Deputy Speaker has remained vacant since 20 January 2020 after pervious Deputy Speaker Dr Shivmaya Tumbahamphe tendered her resignation.

The HoR has received Deputy Speaker after around two-and-a-half years. Next meeting of the HoR will take place at 11.00 am on July 20.