Nepal, Jan. 21 -- The ongoing saga about the Speaker and the resistance exhibited by Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe by refusing to step down until the ruling party had decided on a name long dominated the headlines. The ruling party's indecision also held Parliament hostage for an extended period; but at the same time, the episode displayed Tumbahangphe's character as someone who was willing to stand up for what she believes in. On Monday, this interesting chapter in Nepali politics almost came to end. But it wasn't an end most had wanted.

The Nepal Communist Party's choice, Agni Sapkota, had been a probable candidate for Speaker since the beginning. But there was a reason why that name had been resisted for so long-he faces a mu...