RSP backs Shram Sanskriti Party candidate for deputy speaker

Kathmandu: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has announced its support for the Shram Sanskriti Party in the race for Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

With RSP backing, Rubi Kumari Thakur of the Shram Sanskriti Party is now expected to secure more than two-thirds of the votes, making her victory nearly certain. This would mark a historic achievement for the party, which has seven MPs entering parliament for the first time.

RSP General Secretary Kavindra Burlakoti stated that the decision aims to send a message of cooperation among new political forces.

According to constitutional provisions, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker must come from different parties and genders. The RSP had earlier engaged in discussions with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Shram Sanskriti Party regarding whom to support.

RSP leader Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi met with RSP President Ravi Lamichhane, indicating that an agreement on support was near. The RPP had initially prepared to field Saraswati Lama as its candidate but later shifted its support toward the Shram Sanskriti Party following direct discussions with its leaders.