KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari appears to be intensifying efforts to return to active politics within Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), as signs emerge that leaders who once opposed renewing her party membership are gradually shifting closer to her camp.
Bhandari has long been seeking a formal return to UML politics following the completion of her nine-year presidential tenure on March 12, 2023. Soon after leaving office, she organized a large gathering of women leaders and supporters at Carqui Banquet in Kathmandu, a move widely interpreted as a show of political strength.
Over the following year, she travelled across the country to gauge support among UML cadres and sympathizers. Party insiders say positive responses from grassroots supporters encouraged her to continue pushing for an active political role.
However, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli had reportedly blocked the renewal of her party membership, stalling her formal re-entry into party politics.
Bhandari had submitted an application for membership renewal nearly two years ago, and the process had initially moved forward. But during the UML Central Committee meeting held on July 21 and 22, 2025, Oli allegedly intervened to halt the process.
Following unsuccessful discussions with Oli, Bhandari opened a contact office in Thapagaun on August 21, 2025. Several senior UML leaders, including former senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokharel, vice-chair Surendra Pandey, and standing committee member Karna Bahadur Thapa, were present in support of her initiative.
At the time, Deputy Prime Minister and Vice-chair Bishnu Prasad Paudel was viewed as siding with Oli in efforts to prevent Bhandari’s return.
Despite repeated discussions in Secretariat and Central Committee meetings, Bhandari’s membership issue remained unresolved due to the dominance of the Oli faction. Former vice-chair Astalakshmi Shakya had repeatedly urged the leadership to either approve or formally reject the renewal instead of delaying the matter indefinitely.
Poor election performance revives leadership debate
Bhandari’s name also surfaced prominently during the UML’s 11th General Convention held from December 14 to 16, 2025. Reports suggest she backed Ishwar Pokharel as a challenger to Oli for the party chairmanship while supporting a separate panel for other key positions.
However, only two leaders considered close to Bhandari — Yogesh Bhattarai and Gokarna Bista — secured victories in leadership positions.
Following UML’s poor performance in the March 5 elections, discussions about party restructuring and leadership change have intensified. UML won only nine direct seats and 18 proportional representation seats, a steep decline from the 79 seats it secured in the 2022 elections.
Party insiders say the disappointing results have strengthened calls for Bhandari’s return and emboldened leaders seeking a broader organizational overhaul.
Before the elections, Bhandari had reportedly warned that UML would suffer a humiliating defeat if it contested under the existing leadership structure.
Renewed political activity fuels speculation
At the event, she stressed that UML could not move forward in its current state and called for party restructuring while upholding the principles of “People’s Multiparty Democracy.”
Her growing visibility comes at a time when Oli has remained largely inactive in party affairs due to health issues. The cancellation of Saturday’s Secretariat meeting by Oli also appears to have frustrated several party leaders.
Amid this backdrop, political observers and UML insiders have begun speculating that leaders such as Bishnu Paudel and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel may now be softening toward Bhandari.
Leaders attending the memorial program noted that Paudel and Bhandari were seen in close conversation during the event, while Shankar Pokharel was also engaged in discussions with her.
The optics of the event have drawn attention because Paudel and Pokharel were previously viewed as instrumental in weakening Bhandari’s political ambitions by backing Oli’s stance on her membership issue.
Vice-chair Ram Bahadur Thapa, also present at the program, was not seen as particularly close to Bhandari during the gathering.
Asked about the growing speculation, Bishnu Paudel said the party had yet to formally review the election results.
“The party has not yet been able to conduct a serious review of the elections. Decisions on how to move forward will be made after that review,” Paudel said.
Shankar Pokharel similarly dismissed current speculation as premature, stating that no institutional review had yet taken place within the party.
Oli-Bhandari meetings continue despite tensions
Despite political disagreements, communication between Oli and Bhandari has not completely broken down.
The two leaders reportedly met three times following the elections, including a recent meeting at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, where Bhandari visited Oli during his treatment.
They had earlier met on March 14 and again on March 28, according to party sources.
Sources close to Oli claim the meetings focused broadly on national politics and the future direction of UML rather than Bhandari’s membership renewal.
One UML source said Oli has not yet agreed to hand over leadership to Bhandari, particularly as younger leaders continue demanding generational change within the party.
Meanwhile, discussions surrounding a possible special general convention have reportedly gained traction within UML. Article 63 of the UML statute allows for a special convention within six months if requested in writing by either two-thirds of district committees or a majority of national convention representatives.
While leaders close to Bhandari are said to be exploring that route, no senior UML figure has publicly stated whether she would ultimately seek the party leadership.
Within UML, younger leaders are increasingly advocating for a third-generation leadership transition, while many senior and ideologically aligned leaders reportedly see Bhandari as a figure capable of unifying the broader communist movement.
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