Preparations are underway to elect the chairperson of the National Assembly on March 12.

As per the tentative plan made public by the upper house on Sunday, the detailed schedule for the election will be made public on March 10.

The term of 20 lawmakers including Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina in the 59-strong upper house is expiring on March 3. A total of 19 members have been elected through elections on January 25. The President will nominate one member on the Cabinet’s recommendation.

The ruling coalition is sure to elect the chair of the National Assembly as the alliance has a clear majority in the chamber.

Krishna Prasad Sitaula is seen as a strong candidate from the Nepali Congress for the top position of the upper house. Sitaula, a former general secretary of the Nepali Congress, was elected from Koshi Province in the January 25 polls.

Some Congress leaders believe Sitaula will be the Assembly chairman also because of his closeness to Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. The two leaders have had good relations ever since Sitaula played a decisive role in electing Deuba as the party president in 2021.

Sitaula also maintains very good relations with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Congress desperately wants a seat in the Constitutional Council and the upper house head is one of its members.