Kathmandu | 21 August 2025
The ruling Congress–UML alliance has once again initiated efforts to remove Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, aiming to secure a majority in the Constitutional Council and strengthen their power-sharing arrangement in parliament.
On Tuesday, both parties attempted to collect signatures from their lawmakers on blank sheets of paper to register a motion against Rana on charges of “conduct not befitting her position.” However, they failed to secure the required two-thirds majority after Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala and his faction refused to endorse the move.Coalition Strategy Fails — For Now
A late-night meeting at Baluwatar on Monday, attended by Prime Minister KP Oli and Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, had decided to push the motion the following day.
Signatures were collected during the parliamentary party meetings, but Dr. Koirala distanced himself, even contacting Deputy Speaker Rana directly to assure her he would not support the political maneuver.
Following this setback, the ruling alliance is now planning to wait until Rana returns from her ongoing visit to the United States before making another attempt.
According to Article 91(6)(c) of the Constitution, the position of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant if two-thirds of the House passes a resolution citing misconduct.
Opposition’s Stand
Opposition parties, including the Maoists, have strongly criticized the Congress–UML move, calling it an “authoritarian attempt” to misuse their majority.
In a joint meeting, they alleged that the government was trying to impose a one-party style of rule.
The opposition resolved to resist the move both inside and outside parliament, warning that it could trigger a serious constitutional crisis.
Deputy Speaker’s Response
Reacting to the developments, Indira Rana questioned the repeated attempts to malign her:
“Can a person’s character be assassinated repeatedly just to target a single position in the name of majority?”
Rana clarified that in 2023 she had only written a letter to the US Embassy requesting an early visa interview date for a UN event, but this was being politically weaponized to tarnish her image.
She accused the Congress–UML coalition of orchestrating this campaign solely to manipulate the composition of the Constitutional Council.Analyst’s View
Political analyst Krishna Pokharel described the blank-paper signature campaign as the “height of power intoxication”:
“Forcing MPs to sign on plain sheets undermines democracy and reflects the ruling parties’ intent to capture constitutional positions through bargaining.”
He added that since the Prime Minister does not currently command a majority in the Constitutional Council, the coalition is desperate to replace the Deputy Speaker with someone loyal to them.
Human Trafficking Case Highlights Double Standards
The debate has also reignited memories of past scandals. UML leader and former Koshi Province minister Lilaballav Adhikari, arrested in Japan for human trafficking and forgery, was freed from prosecution due to political protection, despite police recommending a case.
Meanwhile, three young men who lost millions of rupees to the trafficking network continue to face court trials.
This selective approach, critics argue, exposes the government’s hypocrisy: shielding its own while targeting opponents under the guise of justice.
Conclusion
The Congress–UML’s push to remove Deputy Speaker Indira Rana is not merely about one position—it is a calculated move to gain control over the Constitutional Council and key appointments. While the opposition calls it authoritarian, Rana herself terms it a political “character assassination.”
Nepal’s parliament now finds itself at the center of yet another tug of war—one that could have lasting implications for the country’s democracy.
