Former President Bidya Bhandari's Political Membership Reopened

Kathmandu. Former President Bidya Bhandari's path to active politics has been cleared. The decision of the UML Secretariat meeting held on Monday to open Bhandari's membership has cleared her path to active politics.

With Bhandari's membership reopened, there are indications that the process of UML leadership and party unity will also move forward. 

Earlier, Bhandari's renewed membership was canceled at the behest of Chairman KP Oli. After her membership was canceled, Bhandari became dissatisfied with the UML leadership. The UML Central Committee meeting held in the first week of Shrawan 2082 had canceled Bhandari's membership. 

After completing her term as President in 2079, Bhandari wanted to return to active politics in UML. However, seeing that Bhandari's return to active politics would hinder Chairman Oli's desire to become chairman for the third time, he canceled Bhandari's membership.

In that regard, UML had presented the argument that to maintain the dignity of the former president, she should not engage in active politics and should remain as the guardian of the nation. 

Bhandari announced her return to active politics from a program organized on the occasion of the 74th birth anniversary of People's Leader Madan Bhandari on Asar 14, 2082. Bhandari's announcement caused ripples within UML. 

Subsequently, UML stated that former President Bhandari's membership would not be opened, citing 8 reasons. UML prevented Bhandari from getting membership by citing various articles of Part 6 of the Constitution. 

'The Constitution of Nepal, Part 6, Article (61) makes provisions for the President. 

Article 2 of the same article states that the President shall be the Head of State of the country, Article 3 states that the President shall be the promoter of national unity, Article 4 states that the President's main duty shall be to abide by and protect the constitution, and Article 267 provides for the President to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Nepali Army,' UML stated in a press release issued at that time. 

However, due to the UML's shameful defeat in the House of Representatives elections held on Falgun 21, encirclement of Oli from within the party, pressure for leadership transition, and the need for party unity, UML has made a U-turn on the issue of Bidya Bhandari. 

Just the day before her membership was reopened, Bidya attended the memorial service of People's Leader Madan Bhandari and Jivraj Ashrit at Madan Nagar Balkhu as the chief guest. 

 Bhandari, who was almost banned from formal party forums, being made the chief guest on Jestha 3 was seen as a sign of a major shift in the internal power dynamics within UML.