KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari confirmed on Sunday that she had already renewed her party membership with CPN-UML, amid escalating tensions within the party regarding her potential return to active politics.
She made the remark outside the UML central office in Chyasal after holding nearly two hours of one-on-one talks with party chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The meeting came amid internal discord over Bhandari’s political comeback, with Oli’s faction reportedly attempting to block her reentry into the party’s central fold.
While the meeting was scheduled for 3:30 PM, Bhandari arrived on time but Oli turned up 35 minutes late. After posing for photos with other leaders, the two held private talks on the top floor of the party office.
As the two leaders exited the building, Oli avoided the media. However, with over a hundred journalists crowding the premises and amid a heavy security presence, Bhandari was compelled to briefly speak with reporters.
When asked about the nature of the conversation, she glanced at UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, who gestured that she could speak. “We discussed current political affairs with the Prime Minister,” she replied.
As the crowd grew noisy and reporters competed to ask questions, Bhandari was asked about the controversy surrounding her UML membership renewal. Initially deflecting, she said, “We discussed national politics; other matters will be communicated through official channels.”
Pressed further, she finally said, “That matter was settled a while ago,” and when asked again if she had indeed renewed her membership, she responded clearly, “It was already done.”
The brief interaction ended chaotically, with security personnel and aides attempting to escort Bhandari through the dense crowd. By then, Prime Minister Oli had already left for Baluwatar.
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