Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have begun collecting signatures to oust Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, citing conduct unbecoming of her office. Both parties have called lawmakers to their parliamentary offices in Singh Durbar and instructed those outside the Kathmandu Valley to return today.

Parties are preparing to file a proposal at the House of Represenatives against Deputy Speaker Rana under the provisions of the House of Representatives Rules, citing that she has not acted according to the conduct expected of her office.

Congress and UML held separate meetings on Tuesday to discuss the proposal, after leaders reportedly agreed at a Monday meeting at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence that Rana should be removed. Prime Minister Oli, Congress vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak attended the discussion.

Since last year, Rana has been criticised for requesting expedited visa interview dates from the US Embassy for herself and five others unrelated to her official duties. The letter, which became public two months later, raised questions about her adherence to the standards expected of her office.

Opposition parties, including the Rastriya Swatantra Party, have strongly defended Rana, calling the plan politically motivated and warning that it could undermine democratic principles.  

The Deputy Speaker is currently on a US trip.