Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Standing Committee Member and In-charge of Koshi Province, Sherdhan Rai, has said that former President Bidya Bhandari has not expressed any desire to return to active politics.
Expressing objection to various speculations about Bhandari appearing in the media, Rai said such issues have created confusion within the UML. He clarified that there is no truth to the claims that Bidya Devi Bhandari is returning to UML politics or planning to replace party Chairperson KP Sharma Oli. “Such rumors are circulating in the market,” Rai said at a press meet in Khotang. “But she has not expressed any such intentions.”
Rai, who hails from the same district as Bhandari and has worked with her for a long time in politics, said he frequently communicates with her.
In their conversations, Rai said Bhandari has not indicated any intention of returning to active politics so far. “As a member of the Standing Committee and as someone from her district, we have worked together in the party for a long time, so we have discussions,” Rai said. “As of today, neither I nor we have heard her express any intention of returning to active politics or aiming to become the chairman of CPN-UML.”
