Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who has already announced her return to active politics, held a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli at the party headquarters in Chaysal on Sunday afternoon.
This was Bhandari’s first visit to the party headquarters since he resigned from the party’s general membership following his election as the President of the country.
The visit comes amid discussions within UML about the status of Bhandari’s party membership. While leaders close to Bhandari claim that her membership has already been reduced, Oli has said that her membership renewal process is pending.
Bhandari’s membership renewal is significant as she is preparing to contest for the position of party chairperson in the upcoming general convention of the party. If the membership is not renewed, she cannot contest in the election.
Bhandari reached the party office earlier than Oli. When Oli arrived, the two posed for group photos with other party leaders. The two leaders then held a discussion in private for nearly one and a half hours. The details of the discussion have not been shared with the media.
UML Vice Chairperson Surendra Raj Pandey said after the meeting that Bhandari’s membership renewal would not be made controversial. “The matter will be finalized by Chairperson Oli. If needed, the Secretariat can also decide,” he said.
Bhandari’s possible entry in the party fold has stirred intense debate within the party. The recently held Secretariat and Politburo meetings also held discussions on the matter. This has also triggered internal factionalism within the UML. Multiple leaders say Oli and Vice Chairperson Pokharel exchanged heated words during the Secretariat meeting.
