Rastriya Swatantra Party vice-chair Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal has been elected Speaker of the House of Representatives unopposed, as other parties did not contest the state’s fifth-highest position.

A formal announcement of the election will be made on Sunday, before Aryal is administered the oath of office and secrecy by the President the same day.

An aspirant for the home ministry, Aryal was chosen for the Speaker role after Sudan Gurung got the ministerial portfolio. Even as the CPN-UML was preparing to field a candidate against him, the party eventually refrained from doing so. As a result, Aryal, 51, was elected Speaker unopposed.

Aryal entered parliamentary politics through the proportional representation system in the 2022 elections. His political involvement dates back to the RSP’s formation four years ago. Born in Maidi village in Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality, Dhanding, Aryal has a background in business.

“I entered politics thinking that perhaps I could spend the rest of my life doing something meaningful for the country and its people,” Aryal has written in the introductory booklet of lawmakers published by the Parliament Secretariat.

In his brief comment to the media after his nomination, Aryal pledged to carry out his duties in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and parliamentary practices. “I will work in accordance with Nepal’s constitution and laws, in the interest of the Nepali people and for the benefit of the nation and national sovereignty. We have the executive, the judiciary and the legislature. I will ensure that the legislative responsibilities are carried out justly,” he said.

RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane, who proposed Aryal for the post of Speaker, expressed hope that Aryal would act with prudence. Parliamentary practice requires a person assuming the position of Speaker to relinquish partisan affiliation. However, Lamichhane said he hoped that Aryal would draw upon his political experience while performing his duties as Speaker.

Considering the practice, experience, hardships and challenges he underwent while in the party, Aryal will certainly bring some changes to the role, Lamichhane said. “While upholding parliamentary decorum, rules and disciplinary standards, there must be absolutely no attempt to restrict citizens’ issues, undermine the democratic system, or suppress the opposition. Once he becomes Speaker, he must be accountable to the entire House rather than the party, and we believe he will exercise that judgment.”

In the 275-strong House of Representatives, the RSP holds 182 seats, making the election of its Speaker candidate certain. However, the UML, the third-largest party in the House with 25 seats, had initially considered registering a candidate.

UML lawmakers consulted officials of the Parliament Secretariat on the nomination process and even proposed party vice-chair and lawmaker Guru Baral as their candidate. Baral said discussions were ongoing in the party secretariat about filing the nomination for Speaker as late as 20 minutes before the nomination deadline. The Nepali Congress, the NCP and other parties had already announced that they would not field their candidates for Speaker. Ultimately, the UML also refrained from fielding its candidate, leading Aryal to be elected unopposed.

Aryal won the Kathmandu-9 the House of Representatives seat in the March 5 polls. When Lamichhane was in judicial custody, Aryal served as acting chair and led the party. Leaders within the RSP had previously complained that Aryal had already been given opportunities as a proportional representation lawmaker, party vice-chair and minister. This time, however, Aryal entered Parliament after winning direct election.

Aryal successfully led the party when Lamichhane was in jail on the charge of cooperatives funds misappropriation. In Lamichhane’s absence, he led the RSP politically as well as in Parliament and on the streets.

He had been active since the very beginning when the RSP was formed in June 2022 with the aim of doing alternative politics. He became the founding vice-chair of the party. Prior to that, he had spent around 20 years in professional life, both in Nepal and abroad. He has experience in study, research, employment, and business operations in several countries, including Nepal and Japan, and has worked in the tourism, education, and remittance sectors.

Aryal previously held executive roles twice as the minister for labour, employment and social security. Aryal first became labour minister on February 2, 2023, but held office only for 13 days. He later served again as labour minister for about four months, from February 2024 to July 2024.

Leaders including Sobita Gautam and Indira Rana had hoped to become Speaker. But party chair Lamichhane entrusted Aryal with the responsibility of “driving” Parliament.