UML decides to offer membership to former President Bhandari

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML has decided to offer party membership to former President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

A meeting of the party’s Secretariat held on Monday made the decision, according to the UML Deputy General Secretary.

Bhandari, a former vice-chairperson of CPN-UML, had resigned from her position after she was elected President of the country in 2015. She completed her second term as President in March 2023.

Bhandari announced her return to active party politics in June last year. “I have renewed my party membership to give continuity to my political journey with the UML,” Bhandari said at a program organized by Madan Bhandari Foundation on June 28.

However, the party on July 23 decided not to renew her membership, stating that individuals who have held high constitutional positions, such as the President, should not return to party politics.

The decision put Bhandari, who had been preparing to run for party leadership in the 11th General Convention, out of the race.

The party decided to offer membership to Bhandari as youth leaders of the party intensify pressure on Chairman KP Sharma Oli to step down and facilitate restructuring of the party in line with the aspirations of youth.