CPN-UML lawmaker Shivamaya Tumbahangphe, 53, has been elected Deputy Speaker of the federal parliament on Friday.

She defeated Nepali Congress (NC) candidate Pushpa Bhusal to become the Deputy Speaker. Tumbahangphe secured 201 votes against her rival Bhusal’s 61 votes.

Tumbahangphe’s candidacy was proposed by CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Dev Gurung and seconded by Rabindra Adhikari of CPN-UML.

The main opposition NC, who had not fielded any candidate against Krishna Bahadur Mahara during the election of Speaker, had pitched Bhusal for the post of Deputy Speaker.

The NC had said that the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker should not taken by one party as per the provision at a time when the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) are at close to unification.

Saying that the two parties have not merged yet, the left alliance has urged the main opposition to respect the people’s verdict.

 Tumbahangphe, who came from a law background, has been involved in active politics from the UML since long.

Born in Tehrathum, she completed her studies at Gauradah of Jhapa and started politics from Morang.

Tumbahangphe, who took party membership in 1990, became the central member from the ninth General Assembly of the party three years ago. She is the In-Charge of Morang.

After being elected as the Deputy Speaker, Tumbahangphe said that she will carry out her duties honestly.

“I will fulfill my duties of Deputy Speaker by rising above the party politics.”