The main opposition Nepali Congress has decided to field its candidate for the position of the National Assembly chair.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the party’s office bearers on Saturday.

According to Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma, the candidate will be chosen after discussions with the party’s national assembly members.

“Discussions regarding nomination for the upper house chair were held in the meeting. The candidate will be decided following consultation with the party’s National Assembly members,” Sharma said.

The Nepali Congress has 16 members in the 59-strong national assembly.

Former Upper House Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina completed his term on March 3. The election for the vacant position has been scheduled for March 12.

The newly formed ruling coalition has decided to field a lawmaker from the CPN (Maoist Centre) as their common candidate for the top position.

The Maoist Centre, with 17 members, is the largest party in the national assembly, the CPN-UML has 10 members, the CPN (Unified Socialist) 8, and the Janata Samajbadi Party has three members.

Similarly, the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party and Rastriya Janamorcha also have a member each in the chamber.