KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s announcement that she has renewed her membership in the CPN-UML and is returning to active politics has triggered significant ripples within the party, igniting internal debate over future leadership and succession.
Bhandari’s decision has energized a section of the party dissatisfied with the current leadership, with some leaders already projecting her as a potential candidate for the next party chair. Though the party’s 11th National Congress is still some time away, this early positioning has created visible unease among senior leaders, especially those aligned with incumbent chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Her move comes at a time when UML is preparing for its Second Statute Convention in September, where major policy and structural changes are expected. In this context, her re-entry into politics is seen by many as a strategic challenge to the existing power structure.
Bhandari’s comeback has unsettled the Oli faction. Oli, who is now 74, had previously suspended the party’s age limit of 70 years during the 9th General Convention, enabling himself to contest both the 10th and 11th conventions.
He is reportedly keen to continue that exception through the upcoming convention. However, other senior leaders including Vice Chair Ishwar Pokharel have spoken publicly in favor of reinstating the age cap and initiating a leadership transition.
With debates over the 70-year age limit already stirring controversy, Bhandari’s return has further deepened internal rifts. The party appears increasingly divided over not just leadership succession, but also ideological direction.
While Bhandari’s supporters have welcomed her return, critics—particularly those close to Oli and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel—view her move with suspicion. Some within the party argue that she failed to uphold the dignity and neutrality expected of a president during her time in office, and question her credibility as a unifying figure.
Amid rising tensions, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has issued a directive to halt all discussions related to future leadership. Addressing a virtual meeting of the UML Bagmati Province Committee, he said that with the date for the 11th General Convention yet to be fixed, it was inappropriate to speculate about the party’s next chairperson.
He stressed that current focus should be on debating party statutes and procedures, not personalities. With the Statute Convention scheduled for September 5 to 7, Pokharel urged all leaders and cadres to concentrate on policy reform and institutional clarity.
Pokharel also informed the meeting that while the party’s political and organizational reports will be presented directly to the Statute Convention, proposed amendments to the party statute will first be discussed by subordinate committees before moving to the national level.
Other key figures present at the meeting included Organization Department Chief Kashinath Adhikari, Bagmati Province In-charge Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, and Chairperson Kailash Dhungel. District-level chairs from Bagmati Province reported on membership renewals, new enrollments, formation of local committees, and other party activities.
Comment