Pokharel Promises Bhandari’s Return as UML Heads Toward General Convention

As CPN-UML gears up for its 11th General Convention in December, Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokharel has announced his candidacy for party chair and vowed to reinstate former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s membership.

Pokharel emphasized that denying Bhandari membership would harm the party politically and stressed the importance of honouring her decades-long contributions.  He also highlighted his vision to strengthen the party ideologically, unify it organizationally, and institutionalize leadership transition, signalling a potential contest with current Chair KP Sharma Oli.

Pokharel underlined the party’s role in upholding the constitution, democracy, and implementing organizational reforms in the wake of the September 8–9 Gen-Z protests. The UML’s 11th General Convention is scheduled from December 13–15 in Kathmandu.