Former President Bhandari’s Party Membership Automatically Inactive: UML

Kathmandu; The CPN-UML has clarified that former President Bidya Bhandari’s party membership has automatically become inactive. Speaking at a press conference organized by the UML’s Publicity and Publication Department on Wednesday at the party office in Chyasal, UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel explained that after the party concluded it was not appropriate for Bhandari to return to party politics, the issue of renewing her membership became irrelevant.

According to UML, Nepal’s constitution does not envision a former head of state, a dignified position, returning to active party affiliation after retirement. Pokharel emphasized that the decision not to welcome Bhandari back into active politics was made to strengthen democracy rather than merely strengthening the party.

Democracy Over Party Strength

Pokharel stated that while Bhandari’s return to the UML might make the party stronger, it would weaken democracy. He also addressed the topic of party leadership, clarifying that the notion that KP Oli remains the only choice for party chair due to the removal of the two-term and age-70 limits is simply a political narrative. As per the party’s statutes, any qualified representative has the right to contest for the position of party chairperson, he said.

Party Decisions

At the press conference, Rajendra Gautam, head of the UML’s Publicity and Publication Department, also shared details about the decisions made at the central committee meeting. According to him, the meeting passed an eight-point proposal covering current political developments in the country, government effectiveness, the party’s statute convention, and other contemporary issues.