UML meeting concludes, decides not to renew Bhandari's membership

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 23:The central committee meeting of the CPN-UML concluded Tuesday late night, deciding not to allow former President Bidya Devi Bhandari to return to active party politics and endorsing the party statute amendment proposal.

According to Party Publicity Department Head and Standing Committee member Rajendra Gautam, while addressing the meeting, Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli announced that Bhandari would be requested to remain in an advisory and guardian role in the capacity of former President, rather than re-engaging in active politics. 

Chairman Oli’s proposal, however, faced opposition from Vice-Chairmen Surendra Pandey and Yubaraj Gyawali, and leader Karna Thapa, he added. 

The meeting, which ran for nearly 12 hours on Tuesday, saw intense deliberations on the statute amendment proposal presented by Vice-Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Poudel. 

A major highlight of the discussions was the growing debate within the party regarding Bhandari’s possible return to politics. Chief Whip Mahesh Kumar Bartaula said that a majority of central committee members opposed Bhandari’s re-entry into active politics. 

Members from Karnali Province argued that, to safeguard the achievements of decades-long political struggles, the former President should maintain a respected, non-active public role. 

The meeting also approved key amendments to the party statute, including the removal of the 70-year age limit and the two-term restriction for party officials. These changes are expected to be formally endorsed during the statute convention scheduled for September 5 to 7 in Lalitpur.

Gautam said over the course of two days, 224 central committee members expressed their views on the proposed amendments and contemporary issues, with 131 members speaking on Monday alone. Chairman Oli responded to their queries in the concluding session. 

The meeting also focused not only on Bhandari’s political role but also on uniting the party and strengthening its structure to achieve the UML’s ‘Mission 84’ strategy.