Kathmandu — The ruling party Nepali Congress is facing sharp internal rifts over the plan to dismiss Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Indira Rana Magar. Although the Congress–CPN-UML-led government has pushed forward with the move to remove her in order to maintain its influence and majority in the Constitutional Council, the decision has deepened divisions within the party.

Leaders from the Shekhar Koirala faction have voiced dissatisfaction with the step. Along with Koirala himself, two general secretaries and several lawmakers aligned with the Koirala camp have publicly stated that Rana should not be removed. This signals that the Congress leadership may struggle to secure the necessary support.

Meanwhile, Rana, who is currently in the United States, has reportedly shown concern over the unfolding events and contacted Shekhar Koirala by phone. Reports suggest that once she returns to Nepal, a no-confidence motion will be filed against her. In the past too, attempts were made to remove her, but the process was stalled after failing to secure the required two-thirds majority. Political circles now speculate that a similar situation could repeat itself.

In terms of political arithmetic, the Congress–UML-led government faces serious challenges in gathering the necessary votes. Parties such as the Rastriya Prajatantra Party , Rastriya Swatantra Party , CPN Unified Socialist, and Maoist Centre have already made it clear they will not support the move. This makes it very difficult for the government to reach the two-thirds majority.

Further uncertainty has arisen after the Supreme Court recently issued a mandamus in the Gaur massacre case involving Upendra Yadav. Whether Yadav’s faction will back the government or not remains unclear, but his decision could play a decisive role.

Similarly, the support of the Nagarik Unmukti Party also remains uncertain. The party is divided internally, and allegations of irregularities against party chairperson Ranjita Shrestha have left its stance on the proposal unclear. Even so, observers suggest that both Yadav and Shrestha might eventually side with the government out of fear of court and anti-corruption scrutiny.

All these factors have made the government’s strategy increasingly complicated. With internal discontent within the ruling Congress, lack of support from opposition parties, and uncertainty among smaller parties, whether the attempt to remove Deputy Speaker Rana will succeed or once again end incomplete remains a subject of close political attention.

Meanwhile, analysts have begun interpreting the political struggle surrounding the Deputy Speaker not only as an effort to dismiss her but also as a broader reflection of power balance, factional rivalries, and future coalition dynamics. According to them, this step is not merely about one position but signals deeper shifts in the balance of power within the state.

Now the question remains, will the Congress–UML leadership resolve internal disputes and secure the two-thirds majority, or will the move to remove Deputy Speaker Rana once again end in failure?