KATHMANDU: Following the UML central committee’s decision to block former President Bidya Devi Bhandari from re-entering active politics, senior party leader and Standing Committee member Karna Bahadur Thapa has called for a new internal resolve to uphold party values and end what he described as a culture of “hatred, humiliation, and exclusion.”
Thapa, who has been a vocal supporter of Bhandari’s political re-engagement, took to Facebook on Wednesday to express discontent over the current state of internal party dynamics and called on party members to reaffirm their commitment to the core principles of Janatako Bahudaliya Janabad (People’s Multiparty Democracy), the UML’s guiding ideology.
“Let us resolve to end the politics of hatred, humiliation, and prohibition, and uphold the values and spirit of People’s Multiparty Democracy,” Thapa wrote. “Let us fight anew for self-respect and freedom. I sincerely appeal to all conscious UML members.”
Thapa’s remarks came just a day after he was barred from speaking during the party’s central committee meeting, reportedly due to his position in favor of Bhandari’s return to political life.
The UML’s leadership on Tuesday formally decided to suspend Bhandari’s party membership renewal, arguing that it would be unconstitutional for a former president to engage in active partisan politics.
Thapa’s statement is seen as a subtle but significant challenge to the current party leadership, which he believes is veering away from foundational principles. His call for a “new beginning” may resonate with other disgruntled members within the party who feel sidelined by recent decisions.
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