The ruling Nepali Congress has urged Deputy Speaker Indira Rana to voluntarily vacate the position amidst controversy over her alleged misuse of office.

A meeting of the party’s office bearers and former officials held on Wednesday at Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha took the decision to this effect.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Congress Chief Whip Shyam Prasad Ghimire said the ruling coalition will convene a joint meeting to form a common stance on the issue.

Ghimire said the meeting concluded that it is inappropriate for the Deputy Speaker to write to an embassy, requesting visa interview dates for individuals unrelated to her official role.

“This is against parliamentary norms,” said Ghimire.

He said the Congress expects Deputy Speaker Rana to resign voluntarily, as her actions have been deemed improper, especially when it involves a foreign mission.

Congress has further stressed that any communication with diplomatic missions must follow the proper protocol through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not directly by officials such as the Deputy Speaker.

“The Deputy Speaker’s actions have dishonoured the parliament and tarnished the country’s image,” said Ghimire.

The ruling alliance is preparing to table a motion in Parliament to remove the Deputy Speaker from the position.

According to Article 91 (6)(c) of the constitution, the position of Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall fall vacant if a resolution is adopted by a majority of two-thirds of the total number of the then members of the House of Representatives that his or her conduct is not compatible with his or her office.

Deputy Speaker Rana landed in controversy after it emerged that she had requested visa interview dates from the US Embassy for individuals unrelated to her official role.

On February 26 last year, Deputy Speaker Rana wrote a letter to the US Embassy in Kathmandu requesting visa interviews for herself and five others. Two months later, the letter was leaked, and she has been under pressure to step down.