"We agreed that the deputy speaker should tender resignation on her own or we would move constitutionally"
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 11
In the midst of a controversy over the Deputy Speaker of the Federal Parliament's alleged misuse of office, the ruling party Nepali Congress has decided that Deputy Speaker Indira Rana must pave the way or face impeachment.
With all of the meetings and mounting pressure on the deputy speaker, it is clear that NC is prepared to impeach her if she does not exit easily.
"During a meeting of the party's office bearers and former officials on Wednesday at the residence of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba in Budhanilkantha. We agreed that the Deputy Speaker tender resignation on her own or we would move constitutionally," said Meen Bahadur Biswokarma, NC's Department Head of Information, Communications and Publicity.
He stated that the meeting concluded that it is inappropriate for the Deputy Speaker to contact an embassy and request visa interview dates for individuals unrelated to her official role.
He stated that the NC expects Deputy Speaker Rana to resign voluntarily, as her actions have been deemed inappropriate, particularly when involving a foreign mission. "If she does not resign, as the ruling and largest party in Parliament, we will be forced to take robust action," he said.
The ruling coalition is planning to introduce a motion in Parliament to remove the Deputy Speaker from her position.
According to Article 91 (6)(c) of the constitution, the position of Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall become vacant if a resolution is adopted by a majority of two-thirds of the total number of then-members of the House of Representatives stating that his or her conduct is incompatible with his or her office.
Nepali Congress leader Meen Bahadur Bishwokarma told THT that NC and UML top leaders viewed that Rana Magar's conduct was not compatible with her office and they were serious about the issue.
Deputy Speaker Rana became embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that she had requested visa interview dates from the US Embassy for six individuals unrelated to her official role.
Deputy Speaker Rana wrote to the US Embassy in Kathmandu on February 26 of last year, requesting visa interviews for herself and five others. Two months later, the letter was leaked, and she has been under pressure to resign.
Santosh Pariyar, the chief whip of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has defended Magar.
He argued that when rulers become corrupt, the state fails. "After seeing the multitude of news reports today (about the ruling parties' decision to urge the Deputy Speaker to resign), I have the impression that the state is attacking democracy," he said. He stated that the ruling parties that fought for democracy were attempting to impeach the Deputy Speaker, and that if they succeeded, the RSP would lose one constitutional post while continuing to fight for democracy and the people. He said the ruling parties' decision to impeach the Deputy Speaker could not be accepted in a democracy.
Meanwhile, CPN-MC lawmakers stated that Rana Magar, who came from an ethnic background and was well-known for her social work, was elected Deputy Speaker through party consensus, and it was concerning that the ruling parties were now discussing impeaching her.
However, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire issued the whip to NC lawmakers, instructing them not to leave the valley until September 19 and to return before then if they are outside.
It implies that the NC is already planning to remove Deputy Speaker Rana Magar through any means necessary. They would need a two-thirds majority to impeach her if she did not pave the way on her own, which they are ready to propose with the help of ruling coalition members.
UML Lawmaker Hemraj Rai has also stated that Deputy Speaker Rana Magar should now clarify the allegations made against her. He added that the House should not be compelled to begin the impeachment process against her.
