KATHMANDU: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has stated that former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s party membership was not renewed out of respect, in order to re-establish her as a national guardian figure.
Speaking at an extended meeting of ethnic organizations organized by the Democratic Indigenous Nationalities Federation in Kathmandu on Sunday, Pokharel said the issue of Bhandari’s membership unexpectedly entered the party’s ninth Central Committee meeting due to media reports and social media rumors.
He argued that dignitaries like former presidents should not re-enter active party politics. “Since the issue gained traction through speculation, the party was compelled to deliberate on it and reach a conclusion,” Pokharel said. “The party concluded that former presidents and vice presidents, who remain under the protection of the Nepal Army, should continue to hold the role of national guardians.”
However, Pokharel claimed that the matter became more complicated when Bhandari insisted on actively returning to politics. “It was her own insistence on becoming active in party politics that led the meeting to decide against renewing her membership,” he added.
According to Pokharel, Bhandari had initiated the membership renewal process after completing her presidential term. “She had begun the renewal process,” he noted, “but the recently held Central Committee meeting ruled it procedurally invalid. As a result, she is now considered a national figure rather than a party member.”
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