KATHMANDU: Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli met with former President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the party’s central office in Chyasal on Sunday, amid growing internal disputes within the party.
The meeting comes at a time when Oli is reportedly trying to prevent Bhandari from returning to active party politics.
Despite having renewed her organized membership a year ago, her membership remains pending, as declared by Oli in Saturday’s politburo meeting.
PM Oli arrived in Chyasal after 4 PM, summoning Bhandari for the talks shortly after confirming her membership status as undecided. The meeting, which was initially scheduled for 3 PM, began over an hour late.
Former President Bhandari, who served two terms as head of state, had publicly declared her return to active UML politics during a program organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation on June 28, stating that she had already renewed her membership.
Bhandari had previously held the position of vice chair in the party before becoming president.
However, Oli and his close allies have adopted a firm stance against allowing her reentry into the party’s leadership or upcoming events, including the second Statute Convention scheduled for September 6–7.
During last Thursday’s UML Secretariat meeting, Oli had consulted with senior leaders about Bhandari’s status. Many suggested that he personally initiate dialogue with her. Leaders also emphasized the party’s responsibility to treat the former president with dignity.
Despite this, the following day’s politburo meeting saw Oli and his faction taking a hardline position, with efforts underway to block Bhandari from participating in the upcoming convention, even though she renewed her membership following the party’s 10th General Convention.
The ongoing tensions reflect deeper internal conflicts within the party over leadership control and the future direction of UML.
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