KATHMANDU, July 20: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari visited the CPN-UML party headquarters in Chyasal on Sunday to meet party Chair and the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, signaling that she is not stepping away from active politics anytime soon.
The visit comes a day before the party’s Central Committee meeting scheduled for Monday and shortly after the Politburo meeting concluded on Saturday. Sunday, considered a gap day between the two meetings, provided the opportunity for Bhandari to personally meet Oli.
UML central office relocated to Chyasal (With Photos)
Bhandari, who has not visited the party headquarters since completing her presidential tenure, arrived at Chyasal just as her party membership status hangs in the balance. The Politburo had concluded that her membership renewal was still pending and deferred the final decision to the Central Committee. Concerned that her membership might lapse if left unaddressed, Bhandari appeared at Chyasal in person, sending a message of intent to stay engaged in the party's internal politics.
According to UML insiders, Bhandari is determined to establish herself in the party leadership and has even expressed readiness to contest for the party chairmanship. In contrast, Oli is said to be working on strategies to keep her sidelined: first, by questioning her party membership status and second, by pushing for statute amendments in his favor.
Earlier, Oli removed the age limit of 70 years and the two-term restriction on the party leadership, the provisions that directly benefited him, as he is over 70 and has already served two terms as chair.
However, Bhandari’s sudden appearance at the party office on Sunday, according to leaders close to her, was a calculated move. “She believes in resolving matters through dialogue, and her visit was meant to convey that she is moving forward with her plans,” a UML leader said.
While UML leader Bishnu Rijal claimed that Bhandari had visited Chyasal even before, most observers noted that she has largely avoided the party office since becoming President. Her rare visit on Sunday is being interpreted as a message to PM Oli that she is not stepping aside without a fight.
