The UML adopted a neutral stance and did not support Rubi Kumari, a Labor Culture Party MP, for the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Rubi Kumari had prior support from two-thirds of the votes, with backing from the Congress, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Nepal Communist Party (NCP). By choosing neutrality, UML not only failed to send a message of new generation leadership and inclusivity but also lost a significant political opportunity. Kathmandu, 26 Chaitra — Just as Labor Culture Party’s MP Rubi Kumari was about to be elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, UML remained neutral throughout the election process. The party neither took a clear position in favor nor against her.
For the past decade, UML has consistently taken clear and firm stances on every political front. However, this time, without any publicly disclosed reason, the party adopted a neutral policy regarding the Deputy Speaker election. If UML was unwilling to accept another candidate, it could have fielded its own nominee. Instead, it utilized the parliamentary rule allowing neutrality. While this may not be against the rules, it deprived UML of an opportunity to send a political message.
UML MP Mohammad Istiyak Rai commented, “Although a broad consensus was formed for the Speaker, the same effort was not made for the Deputy Speaker, so we remained neutral.” He added that UML is also dissatisfied with how the ruling coalition treats opposition parties. The party’s stance appears to be a reaction to the alleged prejudiced detention of UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli.
Such moments in parliamentary politics are crucial for testing a party’s ideological height, political maturity, and foresight. However, this neutral policy reflects a myopic perspective.
Supporting Rubi Kumari Thakur for Deputy Speaker would have brought many advantages to UML. She was not just a candidate but a symbol conveying key messages. Representing a community along the Madhes border, rising from an economically disadvantaged family, and entering national politics through struggle, she embodies new generational leadership. Elected as a proportional representative MP from the Labor Culture Party, Rubi had also secured backing from the National Independent Party, giving her support beyond the two-thirds threshold. Major parliamentary parties, including RSP, Congress, and NCP, stood behind her. Had UML supported her, a consensus on the Deputy Speaker position would have been possible.
Instead, UML chose the path of neutrality. In politics, neutrality does not always signify impartiality; sometimes, it can be a form of rejection. Given Rubi Kumari’s broad support and the certainty of her winning more than two-thirds of the votes, UML’s neutrality would not have changed the outcome. By supporting her, the party could have claimed ownership of a role that requires neutrality, such as the Deputy Speaker’s post. Had UML endorsed Rubi, it would not only have been about elevating one individual to a position but also sending a message of cooperation with emerging parties within parliament.
