In a recent political development, Rubi Kumari Thakur has become the youngest Deputy Speaker of Nepal’s House of Representatives at the age of 26.
According to inputs from Asian News International,Rubi Kumari Thakur won the election with a clear majority of 229 votes out of a total of 256 votes polled in the House that consists of 275 members. Her rival, Saraswoti Lama of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, received five votes, while 22 lawmakers opted for “none of the above.”
The result was formally announced by Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal.
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From student to constitutional office
Thakur, a member of the Shram Sanskriti Party, was elected to Parliament through the proportional representation system earlier this year. At present, she is undertaking her Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering while balancing both academic and constitutional duties.
In addition to receiving backing from the ruling party (Rastriya Swatantra), Thakur has received wide political support from other parties including Nepali Congress and CPN-UML.
A journey shaped by social challenges
Thakur was born in the Madhesh area of Nepal and comes from modest circumstances. While her father works in Saudi Arabia, her mother is a housewife. Upon graduating, she went for a diploma in civil engineering before working for a while in an architecture consultancy firm to help earn money.
Her participation in politics came from the activism she witnessed growing up in that region and some issues that affected them socially. She subsequently participated in the March 2026 elections where she was nominated as a proportional representation candidate from the Madhesi group.
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Focus on social reform and representation
Thakur, as the Deputy Speaker, has stated that her priorities include empowering women, social justice, and ending harmful practices like dowry and child marriages.
It is worth noting that Thakur’s selection is also necessary because it meets the constitutional obligation for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to come from different political parties, ensuring that one of them is a woman. Political observers say her appointment marks a notable moment for youth participation and inclusive representation in Nepal’s federal parliament.
