Nothing stops me from active politics: Former President Bhandari

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 26: Former President and Vice-Chairperson of CPN (UML) Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that there is nothing that prevents her from joining a political party and becoming active in politics. 

In her first press conference organised here on Friday after the two-day central committee meeting of the ruling CPN-UML held on July 21 and 22 decided not to allow her to return to active party politics, the former President said that Nepal’s Constitution guarantees the right of an individual to have a faith in a political ideology, and the right to be involved in a political party as fundamental rights. 

She said, “Nowhere in the Constitution -- its articles, spirit or intention -- is there anything that stops me from joining a political party and becoming active in politics.” She also expressed her unhappiness about the decision of the CPN-UML to prevent her from returning to party politics. 

The decisions made in a hasty and immature way, ignoring Nepal’s Constitution, laws and democratic values have deeply saddened me.

 “Such decisions will only damage the party’s reputation and credibility. While decisions taken emotionally or in a rush might create temporary confusion, the truth cannot be hidden forever. The idea of People’s Multiparty Democracy (PMD), on which the party was founded, calls for decisions to be made thoughtfully and through open discussion. Any decision made against the scientific principle of democratic centralism cannot be considered legitimate or mature,”  Bhandari said.

“By the time I became President, I had already been a party member for 35 years. It has now been 45 years. Despite my strong faith in the party and my commitment to its values, ideology and policies, it is completely unjust to bar me from being a member,” she said.

“Thousands of leaders, members and activists -- including myself -- have shed blood, sweat, and tears to build this party. I am not saying this out of emotion but with calmness and seriousness, based on the values, traditions, and ideals of our party. On this basis, I appeal to all members of the UML to loyally protect the party-building principles of People’s Multiparty Democracy. This appeal and commitment come from my inner conviction, and I will not waver from this decision,” she said.