UCPN (Maoist) candidate Onsari Gharti Magar was elected unopposed as the House speaker on Friday. Ghart’s unanimous election became possible after Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party candidate Anuradha Thapa withdrew her candidacy.

Gharti has become the first female speaker in Nepal’s parliamentary history. She was the former Deputy Speaker and had served as Minister for Youth and Sports in the Cabinet led by Jhala Nath Khanal.

CPN-UML lawmaker Bidya Devi Bhandari proposed her name and Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, among other fringe parties, seconded her candidacy. 

Gharti became involved in active politics since the days of UCPN (Maoist) revolt. She was elected to the Constituent Assembly (CA) from Rolpa constituency-2 in the second CA election. She was the only candidate to be elected under direct electoral system.

Even the main opposition party Nepali Congress supported her candidacy. Gharti’s husband Barsha Man Pun is the secretary of UCPN (Maoist).  

Yadav deputy speaker

Likewise, Rastriya Prajatantra Party –Nepal lawmaker Ganga Prasad Yadav has been elected as the deputy speaker.