Urmila Aryal Steps Down as Vice-Chair of the National Assembly

Urmila Aryal has tendered her resignation as the vice-chair of the National Assembly. Aryal, a prominent figure within the CPN (Maoist Center), submitted her resignation letter to National Assembly Chairman Narayan Dahal on Thursday, marking the end of her tenure in the upper echelons of the legislative body.

Aryal’s resignation comes in the wake of recent political maneuvers within the ruling coalition. Chairman Dahal, himself a CPN (Maoist Center) lawmaker, emerged victorious in the election for the National Assembly chairman on March 12, defeating the Nepali Congress candidate Yuvaraj Sharma.

Having been elected as vice-chair of the Upper House from the Maoist Center on February 6, 2023, Aryal’s departure signals a significant change in the composition of the National Assembly leadership. The move also underscores the evolving dynamics within the ruling coalition.

The decision to relinquish her position follows a strategic realignment within the coalition framework. Originally, the ruling partners had agreed to allocate the post of National Assembly vice-chair to the CPN-UML. However, this arrangement was altered during negotiations with the inclusion of the CPN (Unified Socialist) party into the coalition fold.