Kathmandu, Nepal, December 27, 2022: With the end of political squabbling on formation of new government under the leadership of the CPN Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on the backing of seven political parties and few independent lawmakers, including the second largest party, CPN UML, all eyes are now concentrating on remaining constitutional positions, particularly the President and Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR.
The power sharing deal made between the Maoist Center and the UML has already agreed to allow the UML to choose the President for next five years. However, it is yet to certain that who will be lucky to achieve the coveted post of the country from the party and what would happen until the time come up to take the decision.
As per the power sharing deal, UML will have the President for the full five years and take the Prime Minister and the Speaker by turns with the Maoist Centre. The two parties, however, had made neither agreement nor understanding that which party will get Speaker for the first half of the next five-year term.
Two names- UML vice-chair and former Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang and another vice-chair Asta Laxmi Shakya are being discussed as probable candidates for new President. However, it is widely believed that party Chair Oli would prefer Nembang rather than Shakya for the President, thanks to loyalties to him.
Even though veteran politician Nembang, who also led the constitution-making process as Constituent Assembly chair, is competent enough to the post of President, Shakya is also equally preferred from in and outside of the party for her clean political image and long contribution in the national politics.
Insiders of the party have a suspicion that Shakya’s earlier position on siding with the rival panel led by Madhav Kumar Nepal before splitting the party would hamper her to become the candidate from the party.
As the terms of President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun expire on March 13, the election to replace them must be held a month prior to February 12.
Even though about one and half month is left to decide about the candidate of the President and Vice President, the ruling allies have pick candidates of other constitutional positions immediately.
Since Maoist Center Chairman Dahal decided to join the UML camp following Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba refused to allow him to lead the government for the first half of the next five-year term, the disputes among the ruling allies, particularly between the UML and the Maoist Center, would not be discarded not only over the issue of who lead the first but also about the candidates.
Other remaining 33 constitutional positions that includes- Vice-President, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly chair and vice-chair, chief ministers, speakers, deputy speakers and provincial chiefs of seven provinces would become contentious among the ruling alliance.
