KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Standing Committee member and Koshi Province in-charge Sherdhan Rai has stated that former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has not expressed any intention to return to active politics.
Rai, who maintains close relations with both UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and former President Bhandari, claimed that recent media reports speculating Bhandari’s political comeback are unfounded and misleading.
He said Bhandari has not communicated any such desire to him, despite their frequent conversations and long-standing political association.
“She has never told me that she plans to return to active politics or to contest for the party’s top leadership,” Rai said while addressing a press meeting organized by Press Chautari Nepal.
Rai also noted that the former president’s recent visit to Koshi Province had sparked unnecessary rumors.
He clarified that Bhandari was there as the chief guest at a national gathering of women representatives hosted by Biratnagar Metropolitan City, and also attended a science exhibition organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation and UML’s Science and Technology Department in Birtamod.
“Being a former UML vice-chair and having risen to the presidency from the party’s platform, it is our responsibility to welcome her,” Rai said. “However, attending public events should not be interpreted as her re-entering party politics.”
He further argued that such speculations create confusion and are not grounded in facts. “People are spreading baseless rumors, but she herself has not made any statements suggesting a political comeback,” Rai reiterated.
Sherdhan Rai hails from the same district as Bhandari and has worked closely with her during their time in the UML. His remarks come amid growing curiosity and conjecture within political circles regarding Bhandari’s future role in the party.
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