CPN-UML Decides to Re-activate Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari's Party Membership, Future Role Debated

Kathmandu. The decision of the CPN-UML to re-activate the party membership of former Vice-Chairperson and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has sparked widespread interest regarding the responsibilities she might assume within the party. Leaders state that the future of many CPN-UML leaders and cadres is linked to this, hence the increased interest within the party.

“The conclusion of 80 percent of the party’s leaders and cadres is that the party cannot be run by KP Oli anymore. In such a situation, the only person who is accepted and recognized by everyone is Bidya Bhandari,” says a CPN-UML official, “However, there is no certainty that Oli is ready to step down from the party leadership yet.”

Although the CPN-UML secretariat decided to re-activate Bhandari’s membership in a meeting held on Jestha 4, no discussion has taken place regarding her responsibilities.

When asked by journalists after the meeting whether re-activating the membership had paved the way for Bhandari to assume leadership, Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta said, “Leadership is a matter for tomorrow after the membership is re-activated. The party will decide where she will be placed and what role she will take.”

Deputy General Secretary Raghubir Mahaseth told RatoPati that Bhandari’s responsibilities will be discussed in the secretariat meeting to be held in Gundu from Friday.

“In the previous meeting, only the decision to re-activate the membership was made. Discussions about responsibilities will be held in the upcoming meeting,” said Deputy General Secretary Mahaseth, “After discussions, the matter of appropriate responsibility will arise.”

According to leaders, Chairman KP Sharma Oli is not in favor of giving Bhandari any significant responsibility at this time. Oli might adopt a strategy of remaining silent on the responsibilities to be given to Bhandari for the time being, with the understanding that re-activating her membership will calm the dissatisfaction within the party. Following this strategy, Oli has been warning party leaders and cadres not to raise their voices against the party and its leadership in times of crisis. In such a situation, Oli may argue that significant responsibility cannot be given immediately after obtaining membership.

“It is understood that the Chairman is neither willing nor ready to give Bidya Bhandari any significant responsibility immediately,” says a leader close to Oli, “It’s a different matter if there is a U-turn.”

Is Bidya’s Membership New or a Continuation of the Old?

According to leaders, discussions are still pending on issues such as the type of membership even after the decision to re-activate Bidya’s membership. Bhandari’s membership was broken during her approximately 8 years in the responsibility of the President. The CPN-UML’s statutory provision is that membership must be taken anew after it is broken.

Leaders close to Chairman Oli may express the view that the responsibility of a new member should also be accordingly.

“There will be concrete discussions on both the type of membership and the responsibility,” a secretariat member of the CPN-UML told RatoPati, “She will receive a new membership now. Because her membership continuity was broken while she was in the responsibility of President for more than 7 years; the situation is different for the Speaker and the President.”

According to that leader, even if it is a new membership, the counting will be from the date the membership was taken.

“Even if it is new, the counting will be from the old one. From the time she became a member,” says the leader, “However, concrete discussions are yet to take place. But in the CPN-UML, even when new membership is given, there are no restrictions on responsibilities for distinguished individuals.”

Leaders close to Bidya Bhandari, understanding Oli’s working style and the steps he might take in the future, are stating that re-activating her membership alone will not solve the problems within the CPN-UML.

“The decision on membership alone does not seem to solve the problem,” says CPN-UML leader Karna Thapa, considered close to Bidya Bhandari, “The way out and the way to save the CPN-UML is Chairman Oli’s resignation.”

Should Oli Use the Stick of Action?

There is also talk among some CPN-UML leaders that after re-activating Bidya’s membership, action might be taken against leaders demanding party restructuring and Chairman Oli’s resignation. According to discussions within the CPN-UML, leaders such as Bishnu Poudel, Shankar Pokharel, Yogesh Bhattarai, Ishwar Pokharel, and Prithvi Subba, who speak in favor of party restructuring, could face action. These leaders have agreed on the issue of party restructuring and transformation. However, some believe that such talk may have been spread by those close to Oli with the intention of controlling their opponents.

“KP Oli still does not have the intention to solve internal problems and build the party. He is still thinking of keeping himself at the center,” says a leader in constant contact with Oli, “But the conclusion that this party cannot move forward by keeping him at the center is almost shared. Only some have the courage to speak about it, while others do not, that’s the only difference.”

Moreover, CPN-UML leader Karna Thapa had publicly stated two years ago that “Oli’s relevance has ended, so he should step down.”

Understanding that this issue might be raised again in the upcoming secretariat meeting, Oli had emphasized at the meeting on Jestha 4 that anyone speaking out and making comments should maintain decorum, hinting at the leaders who spoke in favor of restructuring.

“Although the Chairman has not explicitly stated anything about taking action against any leaders, there was an indication that friends should speak according to decorum when making comments outside,” said an official who was previously considered close to Oli, “In the current situation, it does not seem possible for anyone to take action against any leader by choice.”

Bidya Camp Hopes for Resignation

Leaders from Bidya Bhandari’s camp appear pleased with the re-activation of her membership. However, they are not satisfied with just that. They believe that Chairman Oli should pave the way for an easy exit by resigning from his post.

“After he leaves the post, options will be discussed,” said a leader close to Bhandari, “In terms of options, the person everyone will accept is Bidya Bhandari. Because she is accepted by everyone within the party, and other parties will also be ready to unite the communist movement.”

According to that leader, after Oli leaves his post, a new situation will arise among leaders and cadres, and their enthusiasm and energy may also increase. At that time, Bhandari could also have the option of going to the general convention in a coordinating role.

विद्यालाई केपी ओलीको ‘रेड कार्पेट’ : सङ्कटमोचन कि वाम एकताको सूत्र ?

“We can move forward by keeping Chairman and other leaders in respectable positions, and a committee can also be formed for communist unity. Early or special general conventions can also be held. But first, after KP leaves, the future leadership will be discussed,” said the leader regarding Bidya’s responsibilities.

According to him, leaders have made preparations to pressure Oli to step down in the upcoming secretariat meeting.

“If he does not prepare to provide an exit, it is understood that the secretariat members themselves may have to speak up,” said the leader.

In continuation of the secretariat meeting on Jestha 4, discussions and decisions will be held on agendas including the order of dignity of office bearers, the work and activities of the government formed in the general elections, renewal and expansion of membership, division of work among office bearers and members, according to leaders. Deputy General Secretary Bhatta stated that discussions will be held on 11 agendas including the formation of a constitutional amendment suggestion task force, preparation of an election review report task force, context of party office building construction, formation of the central office, policy study and research institute director committee, adding members to the organization department to advance its work, and miscellaneous matters.