KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML has reinstated the party membership of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
A meeting of the party secretariat held at Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, decided to overturn an earlier Central Committee decision made from July 21 to 23, 2025, and restored Bhandari’s membership.
The move comes shortly after the party had decided to halt her membership renewal. Following that decision, Bhandari had been excluded from internal party activities, including the 11th general convention held from December 13 to 17, 2025.
However, she was recently invited as the chief guest at the 33rd Madan-Ashrit Memorial Day programme held at the party’s former central office in Madannagar, Balkhu.
The event marked 33 years since the death of then UML General Secretary Madan Bhandari and organisation department chief Jibaraj Ashrit in a road accident in Dasdhunga, Chitwan.
Senior UML leaders including Vice-Chairs Ram Bahadur Thapa, Bishnu Paudel and Gokarna Bista, along with General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and other top leaders attended the programme where Bhandari was given prominent participation.
Bhandari first became President in 2015 and served two terms before completing her tenure in 2023. After stepping down, she announced her return to active politics and had renewed her UML membership at that time.
However, party Chair Oli had later directed to halt her membership, triggering internal debate within the party.
Political dynamics within the UML have been increasingly tense in recent months, with internal differences emerging following the party’s performance in recent elections and leadership pressures on Oli.
Comment