Kathmandu, December 20
As Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe was preparing to chair the first meeting of the fifth session of House of Representatives beginning today, some had feared that the main opposition Nepali Congress might object to her act. However, the party has now clarified its position and says it is okay with the deputy speaker chairing the meeting.
Earlier, when Tumbahamphe began preparations for the meeting, the opposition party had informally commented that the parliamentary regulations categorically assign the speaker, not his/her deputy, to begin a session. But, now, the party is okay with it as the speaker has resigned and the constitution allows the deputy to carry out the speaker’s job in his/her absence, informs the opposition parliamentary party’s whip Pushpa Bhusal.
The ruling Nepal Communist Party has already cleared the road for Tumbahamphe for chairing the meeting.
