Proposal to Oust Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Postponed Amid Small Parties’ Resistance

The plan to register a motion against Deputy Speaker Indira Rana in the House of Representatives has been put on hold after smaller coalition parties refused to sign while she remains abroad. The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML had prepared to submit the proposal on Tuesday, but it was postponed to avoid internal conflict within the alliance.

Why Was the Proposal Halted?

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba agreed during a Monday meeting at Baluwatar to register the proposal, accusing Rana of misconduct. However, smaller parties including Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP), Janamat Party, and Nagarik Unmukti Party refused to proceed without her presence.

Party whips from these smaller factions stated that filing the motion during her U.S. trip would deny her a fair chance to respond. JSP Nepal’s spokesperson Manish Suman confirmed no final decision was made, while Nagarik Unmukti Party leaders remained divided on the matter.

Internal Disputes in the Ruling Alliance

Congress leaders Gagan Thapa, Prakash Sharan Mahat, and Arjun Narsingh KC advised caution, warning the move could damage the party’s image, especially with the Rupandehi by-election approaching. Many lawmakers declined to sign the motion, demanding that Rana be given an opportunity to clarify her position upon her return on August 29, 2025 (13 Bhadra 2082).

UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartola also stated the motion would only move forward after Rana’s return. Meanwhile, Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) criticized the delay, accusing the ruling parties of indecisiveness.

Parliamentary Debate and Criticism

During Wednesday’s House session, opposition and independent lawmakers accused NC and UML of attempting to impose a two-party dominance by targeting small parties and removing Rana without due process.

Maoist MP Shakti Basnet condemned the signature campaign as undemocratic and discriminatory against a socially active woman leader. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar called it an attack on parliamentary dignity, while independent MP Amaresh Kumar Singh warned small parties they too could face similar pressures in the future.

What Happens Next?

The Deputy Speaker is scheduled to return on August 29, 2025, while Prime Minister Oli will leave for China on August 30, 2025 (14 Bhadra 2082) and return on September 4, 2025 (18 Bhadra 2082). Ruling coalition leaders now plan to revisit the proposal around mid-September.

According to parliamentary law, once a motion of misconduct is registered, it must be discussed within seven days. Rana traveled to the U.S. on August 15, 2025 (30 Shrawan 2082) to attend an NGO forum.

Growing Friction in Nepali Politics

The controversy reflects increasing tension among ruling parties over control of key parliamentary positions and the Constitutional Council. The motion, if passed, would allow Congress to nominate its own Deputy Speaker, but lack of two-thirds majority without support from smaller parties has stalled the process.