KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has set up a political contact office in the same Thapagaun residence from where her late husband and former CPN-UML General Secretary Madan Kumar Bhandari ran his 1991 election campaign.
The office, located near Mandala Theater in Thapagaun, Kathmandu, is currently being furnished and is expected to be officially inaugurated in the coming days. According to a senior UML leader close to her, Bhandari intends to use the space as a platform to engage in political discussions and maintain contact with party leaders and cadres.
“This will be her base for political communication and future activities,” the leader said.
The three-storey residence, which includes a large compound, holds significant political history. In 1991, Madan Bhandari used the house as his campaign headquarters during the general election. Later, in 1994, Bidya Devi Bhandari herself ran her election campaign from the same premises. The property is owned by Bidur Mainali, a former deputy mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City from CPN-UML in 1997.
Following the end of her two presidential terms, Bhandari has been active from her private residence in Bhangal, Budhanilkantha. On June 28, she publicly announced her return to active UML politics through an event organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation.
However, the CPN-UML Central Committee meeting held on July 21–22 barred her from participating in party politics. Despite renewing her organized party membership in April 2024, the party has invalidated her membership and signaled its opposition to her political comeback.
Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli has removed the age limit of 70 years and the two-term cap for executive leadership positions. Yet, he has reportedly moved to block Bhandari from participating in the upcoming Second Statute Convention scheduled for September 5–7 in Godavari, Lalitpur. He has also issued an internal directive suggesting that Bhandari should remain respected in her former presidential capacity, and not return to partisan politics.
Despite these restrictions, Bhandari appears determined to remain politically engaged. She plans to operate through the Madan Bhandari Foundation to stay in touch with UML leaders and supporters. Her decision to open the Thapagaun contact office is seen as a step toward reviving her political influence, even as the party leadership tries to sideline her
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