Bidya Devi’s entry in UML: Ripples in future leadership

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s decision to renew her membership in the CPN-UML and re-enter active politics has indeed sent significant tremors through the party, highlighting deep internal divisions and sparking a contentious debate over its future leadership and direction.

Bhandari’s announcement, made at a Madan Bhandari Foundation event, signals her clear intent to return to the political arena after her tenure as president. This move has been welcomed by some within the CPN-UML who are reportedly dissatisfied with the current leadership. Some of her supporters are already positioning her as a potential candidate for the next party chair, despite the 11th National Congress being some time away.

This early maneuvering has created considerable unease among senior leaders, particularly those allied with incumbent chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is currently 74 years old. Oli had previously suspended the party’s 70-year age limit to enable his continued leadership through the 10th and 11th conventions and is reportedly keen to extend this exception. However, figures like Vice Chair Ishwar Pokharel have publicly advocated for reinstating the age cap and facilitating a leadership transition.

The timing of Bhandari’s return is crucial, as the CPN-UML is preparing for its Second Statute Convention from September 5 to 7. This convention is expected to bring about major policy and structural changes, and her re-entry is widely seen as a strategic challenge to the existing power structure. The debate over the 70-year age limit, already a point of contention, has been further intensified by her comeback.

While her supporters are vocal, critics close to Oli and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel view her move with suspicion. They question her credibility as a unifying figure, arguing that she did not maintain the expected dignity and neutrality during her presidency.

Amid these rising tensions, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has issued a directive to halt all discussions related to future leadership. Addressing a virtual meeting of the UML Bagmati Province Committee, he emphasized that with the date for the 11th General Convention yet to be fixed, speculation about the next chairperson is premature. He urged all leaders and cadres to focus on debating party statutes and procedures at the upcoming Statute Convention, rather than personalities.

Pokharel also outlined the agenda for the Statute Convention, stating that the party’s political and organizational reports will be presented directly, while proposed amendments to the party statute will first be discussed by subordinate committees before being moved to the national level. Key figures present at the meeting included Organization Department Chief Kashinath Adhikari, Bagmati Province In-charge Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, and Chairperson Kailash Dhungel, with district-level chairs reporting on membership renewals and other party activities.

Bhandari’s return marks a significant shift in the CPN-UML’s internal dynamics, likely setting the stage for a period of intense internal struggle and realignment as the party navigates its path towards the next national congress and beyond.