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Newly elected chairperson of the National Assembly (NA) Narayan Prasad Dahal said that he would take initiative to boost the prestige and importance of the upper chamber of the Federal Parliament.

Talking to media persons while exiting from the meeting after his election to the post, Chair Dahal shared that he would play an active role to establish the thinking that NA is the essential institution.

"I am committed to unite NA members of all parties to fulfill the entire roles and responsibilities of NA. I also have self-confidence that I will be successful in it," he underlined.

Stating that he would move ahead taking every activity that falls within NA's jurisdiction seriously, NA Chair Dahal stressed that he would be involved in formulating laws as well as boosting the prestige of the NA.

Dahal is scheduled to take oath of office and secrecy before President Ramchandra Paudel today itself.

Narayan Dahal elected as National Assembly chair (With video)

CPN (Maoist Centre) candidate Narayan Dahal has been elected as the chairman of the National Assembly.

In the election held today, Dahal garnered 39 votes while his contender Yuvaraj Sharma of the Nepali Congress secured 17 votes.

After Dahal obtained majority votes, Vice-Chairperson Urmila Aryal announced that he was elected as the chairman of the upper house.

A total of 56 lawmakers were present in the election.

Gopi Bahadur Sarki proposed Dahal for the post while Devendra Dahal of CPN-UML, Beduram Bhusal of CPN (Unified Socialist) and Mohammad Khalid of Janata Samajbadi Party seconded the proposal.

Dahal is the brother of Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

He was nominated as a member of the National Assembly by the President on the recommendation of the government in 2021.

With the formation of a new alliance, an agreement was reached among CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, CPN (Maoist Center) Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane and Janata Samajbadi Party Chairman Upendra Yadav to support the candidate of Maoist Center for National Assembly chair and UML for vice-chair.

The position remained vacant after Ganesh Timilsina retired after completing his six-year tenure on March 3.

Five political parties in the coalition government have inked a seven-point agreement, pledging to support the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government and make it successful.

The meeting that took place at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar today decided to support Narayan Dahal, the candidate for the election of National Assembly (NA) Chair on behalf of the CPN (Maoist Center).

The election for the post of NA Chair is taking place today.

A meeting attended by the top leadership of five political parties representing in the Federal Parliament decided to promote mutual cooperation to make the government delivery further 'effective' and 'advance' towards good governance, social justice and prosperity.

The meeting also agreed to proceed ahead with dialogue with other political parties positive over the process to form a new coalition government and promptly conclude the transitional justice issue, remaining task of the peace process and matters regarding the establishment of a durable peace on the basis of consensus.

They also agreed to enact remaining laws required for implementing the federalism, make the operation of the three-tier government effective and prepare a common minimum program among the parties in the government, and to come up with government policies and programs capable of promoting the interests of the nation and democracy.

An understanding has been reached among the political parties to strengthen national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as well as to move ahead towards the path of political stability for socialism-oriented socio-economic development. 

The five political parties agreed to move ahead to fulfill people's aspirations of good governance, development and social justice as well as putting the issues of national interest and concerns in priority.

Similarly, these parties have made an effort to develop a balanced and holistic international relation and to move ahead in the path of prosperity in an effective manner by strengthening the federal democratic republic as per sentiments and spirit of constitution of Nepal.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and Prime Minister Dahal, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, and Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav signed the agreement.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party on Tuesday issued a whip to vote in favor of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in a floor test.

The party directed its lawmakers to be present mandatorily and vote in favor of a confidence motion, RSP General Secretary Mukul Dhakal said. Prime Minister Dahal is seeking a vote of confidence during the Parliament meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

The RSP joined the government by taking four ministries including Deputy Prime Minister and Home Ministry.

The time for taking the vote of confidence will be fixed by holding a discussion in a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee today, Speaker’s press advisor Shekhar Adhikari said.

This is the third time that the Prime Minister is seeking a vote of confidence.

Earlier on Monday, the main opposition Nepali Congress issued a whip to its lawmakers directing them to vote against the confidence motion.