Kathmandu, Feb 5 : Nepali Congress (NC) parliamentary party meeting has passed its long-delayed statute.

The parliamentary party statute has a provision for a deputy leader of the party for the first time.

Nepalnews quoted Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramesh Lekhak as saying that there is a provision for proportionate representation in the parliamentary working committee, which will have 12 members elected by parliamentary party members, five members elected from each development region and six members including two women nominated by the parliamentary leader.

With the deputy leader, chief whip, whip and general secretary of the party as ex-officio members, the working committee will have 27 members.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs will also be an ex-officio member at a time when the party is in the government.

The parliamentary leader will nominate the deputy leader. At least one of the deputy leader, chief whip or whip should be a woman.

The statute will come into effect after the approval of the central working committee of Nepali Congress. (ANI)