Dol Prasad Aryal

Dol Prasad Aryal was born on 22 August 1974 in Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality, Dhading.^[1] The area was formerly the Maidi Village Development Committee. Born to Bojraj Aryal and Gunmaya Aryal, he moved to Kathmandu in search of job opportunities in 1992, finding a job as a restaurant worker. Four years later, in 1996, he went to Japan for foreign employment. He ended up working there for about eight years.^[2] Upon his return to Nepal, Aryal became involved in various business ventures in both the education and tourism sectors. He invested in Sumire Tours and Travels, as well as the Yokohama Japanese Language Academy and HEMS School. Aryal also invested in a cooperative, the Jansagar Savings and Credit Cooperative. He was also CEO of Easy Link Remittance, another one of his business ventures.^[3]

Outside of business, Aryal has been involved in social work, such as helping establish Raskot Community Hospital in Kalikot.^[2] He was also involved in relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing oxygen cylinders.^[3]

Prior to 2022, Aryal was not affiliated with any political party in Nepal. However, while seeking support for the construction of Raskot Community Hospital, he came into contact with Rabi Lamichhane who was then a television presenter. Together with Mukul Dhakal, they concluded that a new political party was needed to reform the Nepali political system, resulting in the formation of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in mid-2022 with Aryal becoming vice chairman of the party.^[3]

Following the 2022 general election, Aryal became one of the 13 people elected to the 6th House of Representatives representing the RSP from the PR list constituency.^[4] The RSP entered into a coalition government after the election, with Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the new prime minister and Lamichhane as deputy prime minister and minister home affairs.^[5] Aryal himself was appointed as the minister of labour, employment, and social security.^[1] However, in January 2023, the Supreme Court revoked the status of Lamichhane as a member of the House of Representatives. This was caused by his lack of valid Nepali citizenship, resulting in his resignation from all ministerial and party offices, including as chairman of the RSP.^[6] Afterwards, he became acting party chairman, as well as parliamentary leader of the RSP.^[7] The Supreme Court verdict also led to the withdrawal of the RSP from the coalition government, this included Aryal who left office after only serving around for 20 days. He returned as minister in the same portfolio in March 2024 and served in the position until July 2024, when a coalition government consisting of the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) was formed.^[3]

Ahead of the early 2026 general election, Aryal became coordinator of the federal election mobilisation committee of the RSP. He was re-elected to the House of Representatives, though he contested the Kathmandu 9 constituency this time. Aryal won 35,093 votes in the election, defeating his closest rival—Nanumaya Bastola of the Nepali Congress—who only received 5,460 votes.^[8] On 5 April 2026, Aryal was elected speaker of the 7th House of Representatives unopposed.^[9] The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) had been preparing to field Guru Baral as a candidate against Aryal, though they eventually refrained from doing so.^[10] His speakership candidacy was supported by Rabi Lamichhane, as well as by Swarnim Wagle, Sobita Gautam and Sunil Lamsal.^[11] Originally, Lamichhane sought to have Aryal become minister of home affairs in the new government. However, Prime Minister Balen Shah wanted his close associate Sunil Lamsal in the position instead. Eventually, a compromise was reached and Aryal became speaker of the House, while Sudan Gurung was appointed minister home affairs.^[3]