KATHMANDU, June 19: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has held a meeting with CPN (UML) Chairperson and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and expressed her desire to become active in party politics.
On Tuesday evening, she reached the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar and stated that she has contributed a lot of effort and time to the party and wishes to be actively involved in its internal politics.
UML Chairperson Oli, on the occasion of the inauguration of the general convention of the the party’s student wing All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) in Kirtipur on June 8, had indirectly warned leaders and workers not to openly support Bhandari during her district visits, which reportedly displeased Bhandari.
Oli had said, “Another game is being played here, certain individuals are said to be returning.” In response to this, Bhandari stated that as a UML member, she does not need anyone’s permission to meet and interact with party leaders and cadres.
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It seemed as if a conflict had arisen between Oli and Bhandari without any direct conversation taking place. As a result, Bhandari met Oli on Tuesday to clarify her stance.
“She had said she would clearly express her views to the party chair, and perhaps she did. There was concern about the party's deterioration, and she is not planning to step down,” said a leader close to Bhandari.
According to him, Bhandari has clearly expressed her intention to become active in politics. Leaders close to Bhandari had urged Chairperson Oli to listen to her views clearly. Accordingly, Bhandari went to Baluwatar on Tuesday to meet Oli.
However, Dr Bhesh Raj Adhikari, a member of Bhandari’s personal secretariat, said he was outside Kathmandu and therefore unaware of the details of the meeting and what was discussed. “I was outside the valley; I do not have information about the conversation that took place between them,” said Dr Adhikari. With the decision already made to hold the UML’s general convention from September 5 to 7, the meeting between Oli and Bhandari has caused a stir within the party’s organizational ranks.
The previous UML general convention had set an age limit of 70 years for leadership positions. However, after the secretariat meeting held in Jestha 2080 suspended the age limit imposed on the executive committee, it has not yet been lifted. The age limit suspension was made for Mukunda Neupane, who returned to the UML after joining the CPN (Unified Socialist) led by Madhav Kumar Nepal.
As the debate intensifies over former President Bhandari entering UML politics, discussions have begun among UML leaders and workers regarding whether to maintain the 70-year age limit and whether to set limits on the party chairperson’s tenure (two terms as chairperson). If Bhandari is to be made party chairperson, then Oli’s term will end with the 10th general convention. Since Oli has already completed the age limit of 70 years and two terms as chairperson, he is expected to step down smoothly by the 11th general convention.
After Chairperson Oli publicly stated on June 8 that the 70-year age limit has ‘failed,’ the debate over the age limit and leadership change within the UML leadership has gained even more prominence. The first UML general convention of the party’s constitution, held in Ashoj 2078 BS, had established under Article 89 that no one should be elected or nominated as an office bearer/member of the executive committee at any level if they have reached the age of 70.
At that time, the UML had included a provision in its constitution stating that a person who was elected or nominated before reaching the age of 70 would not be barred from continuing to hold their elected or nominated position and fulfill their responsibilities until the next general convention. However, this provision of the constitution was suspended by the Central Committee meeting held in Jestha 2080 BS, through the secretariat, with the term “for now” added to indicate a temporary suspension.
At the inauguration ceremony of the 24th national general convention of ANNFSU, Chairperson Oli stated that the 70-year age limit has failed and that leadership will be selected based on necessity. Following this, some leaders, including Ishwar Pokharel, publicly expressed in formal forums that the provisions of the 70-year age limit and two-term tenure remain in place and should be continued in the future.
