KATHMANDU: Former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun’s return to active politics with the Maoist Center — traveling along the Mid-Hill Highway with Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ — has reignited speculation about former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s political comeback within the CPN-UML.
Asked by journalists about her return to party politics, Bhandari responded confidently, “I am active, I am in politics.”
Recently back from a 10-day visit to China, Bhandari is currently touring her home province, Koshi, where she addressed a gathering of Morang’s deputy chiefs and vice presidents.
Criticizing the shrinking space for women in leadership, she attributed the decline to coalition politics, emphasizing that political parties must uphold democratic values and inclusiveness by promoting women’s leadership.
While in Morang, Bhandari also visited Belbari, reconnecting with former students and colleagues from her days as a schoolteacher during the Panchayat era.
She paid tribute to the late mother of Gyanendra Subedi, former mayor and current provincial assembly member, and met with former UML MP Harkaman Tamang.
Bhandari has made it clear she does not intend to live quietly as a ceremonial ex-president. When asked in Biratnagar whether she plans to lead UML, she replied cryptically, “I will speak when the time comes.”
The UML, a party known for internal turbulence and ideological shifts, is once again stirring debate. Party General Secretary Shankar Pokharel recently remarked on social media, “UML is a vibrant party built on the foundation of ideas. Ups and downs are part of it.”
Now, analysts are divided on Bhandari’s re-entry. Political scientist Prof. Dr. Tanka Prasad Neupane views her comeback as ill-timed, saying, “It’s fine to travel and meet people, but rejoining politics and eyeing leadership is inappropriate.”
In contrast, Dr. Badri Bishal Pokharel sees her as the embodiment of People’s Multiparty Democracy, calling her “the genie of UML” and a towering figure unmatched within the party after KP Sharma Oli.
Dr. Pokharel argues that Bhandari’s growing political activity is driven by necessity and that her presence could restore both national and international relevance to the UML. “When a leader like her returns, it has ripple effects beyond the party,” he says.
According to him, Bhandari is keenly aware of the factional chaos within UML. “If this continues, the party could collapse like the Marxist Communist Party in West Bengal,” he warns.
He further argues that weakening a party like UML could open the door to foreign interference and damage the republic. He interprets China’s recent invitation to Bhandari as a sign of Beijing’s desire to strengthen ties with Nepal through respected political figures.
“It is clear that China has a deep interest in Nepal’s internal politics,” says Prof. Dr. Pokharel. “China is making serious efforts to expand its influence in South Asia through Nepal. It is no longer in a position to remain passive. As a rising global power with prosperity on multiple fronts, China is now taking a more active role in Nepal.”
According to Dr. Pokharel, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari may not have initially intended to re-enter active politics. “She seems to have sensed the growing discontent and internal chaos within the UML so to speak—and the intensifying backlash and political pressure. These conditions appear to have pushed her toward re-engagement,” he says.
“Her return to political activism triggered reactions from within the party. UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli also responded with sharp criticism. When Bhandari recently showed interest in taking a leadership role within the party, Oli did not hold back from expressing his displeasure.”
Historically, Bhandari was nominated by the UML for the presidency while serving as vice president. This move was interpreted in two ways by political analysts: As a respectful and dignified exit from active party politics; and, as a way to sideline her from potential party leadership.
Her current political resurgence, however, has upended both interpretations. UML Chairman Oli has publicly urged former President Bhandari to refrain from political activities, urging her instead to maintain her role with “national dignity.”
Speaking at the 24th National Convention of the ANNFSU in Kirtipur on Sunday, Oli dismissed speculation about leadership changes and veiledly criticized Bhandari’s reactivation within the UML.
“I hear people are forming groups—this faction, that faction. That’s not what the UML needs,” Oli said. “Now another game is being played—who’s joining, who will be general secretary, vice president, treasurer. We haven’t even discussed the general convention yet.”
He also accused Bhandari of demoralizing party cadres during her recent district-level engagements after returning from China. “Those who try to dampen party morale must be answered,” he said.
“If there are internal matters, resolve them inside the party. Undermining or attacking the party from outside will not be tolerated.”
Oli’s frustration over Bhandari’s increasing visibility is not without reason. Her renewed activism has stirred the formation of factions across the UML’s ranks.
On Sunday, he insisted that there is “only one faction in the UML” and called on cadres to oppose attempts at internal division.
When Bhandari began her first leg of the Koshi Province visit, activities intensified among her supporters in direct opposition to the Oli camp. At the second convention of the UML Biratnagar Metropolitan Committee, the division between the “Oli faction” and the “Bhandari faction” became visibly clear.
At the time, observers noted that Bhandari appeared to be gaining influence over UML-affiliated mass organizations.
With the 11th General Convention approaching, the process of internal power realignment appears to be gaining momentum. However, key leaders, including UML Vice President Bishnu Prasad Paudel, have stated that there is no plan to hold elections for the party presidency during the convention.
Currently, Bhandari is on her second tour of the Koshi Province and is engaged in political meetings in Jhapa—Chairman Oli’s home district. She has also been holding internal discussions with party leaders and cadres once considered close to Oli.
Rising political momentum after China visit
UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has stated that Bidya Devi Bhandari’s visit to China was not made in her capacity as a party leader. However, the high-level reception she received in China—with formal meetings and honors—indicated otherwise. The protocol and treatment she received effectively contradicted Pokharel’s claim.
During her visit, Bhandari held meetings with two top leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). According to diplomatic analysts, these engagements affirmed her stature as a prominent UML leader in the eyes of China.
Experts suggest that Bhandari’s visit has reinforced the perception that communist unity in Nepal remains a strategic priority—and that her political role may be central to that project.
Analysts also believe that China sees Bhandari not only as an active political figure, but as a possible successor within the UML leadership hierarchy.
Given the repeated failure of left unity efforts in Nepal, diplomatic observers interpret China’s endorsement of Bhandari as an attempt to present a unifying figure capable of bridging factional divides.
They argue that the convergence of several factors—Bhandari’s renewed political activities, the growing polarization within UML-affiliated mass organizations, the significant respect shown to her in China, her ideological alignment with People’s Multi-Party Democracy, and the current leadership vacuum within the UML—has led to her increasing acceptance as a future party leader.
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