Oli and Bhandari Hold Talks Amid UML Dispute

Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli met with former President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday at the party’s central office in Chyasal. The meeting took place amid rising tensions within the party.

The meeting happened at a time when Oli is said to be trying to stop Bhandari from becoming active in party politics again.

Although Bhandari renewed her party membership a year ago, Oli stated in a politburo meeting on Saturday that her membership is still undecided.

Oli arrived at the Chyasal office after 4 PM and called Bhandari for the meeting soon after confirming her membership status. The meeting, which was planned for 3 PM, started more than an hour late.

Bhandari, who served two terms as president, had announced her return to active UML politics on June 28 at an event by the Madan Bhandari Foundation. She said she had already renewed her party membership.

Before becoming president, Bhandari was the vice chair of the UML.

However, Oli and his close group of leaders are strongly against allowing her to return to a leadership role or attend party events. This includes the second Statute Convention planned for September 6–7.

In a UML Secretariat meeting last Thursday, Oli discussed Bhandari’s membership with senior party leaders. Many suggested he talk to her directly. They also said the party should treat a former president with respect.

But at the politburo meeting the next day, Oli and his supporters took a tough position. They are now trying to stop Bhandari from joining the upcoming convention, even though she had renewed her membership after the party’s 10th General Convention.

These disagreements show that the party is facing deeper issues over who should lead and what direction it should take in the future.