Bidhya Bhandari’s plan to return to act party politics on hold as Oli reluctant to pave the way.

Kathmandu – Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari may have to skip her long-awaited plan to join Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and take a plunge into active politics, following Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s disapproval of her plan to rejoin the Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (UML).

Bhandari was set to renew her UML membership on Saturday during a programme organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation, marking the 74th birth anniversary of her late husband and UML ideologue Madan Bhandari. She had ceased to be a party member in 2016 upon assuming the presidency, a position she held until 2023.

According to sources within the UML, Oli—who is both the Prime Minister and party chair—was not supportive of Bhandari’s intention to return and potentially lead the party after its next General Convention.

“Oli has openly said that he is facing conspiracies from both within and outside the country, and therefore needs to continue as party chief for at least one more term,” a UML insider told this paper.

Bhandari is said to have assured Oli that she had no interest in seeking executive power or the premiership, having already served as Head of State. Her proposal was reportedly that Oli remain Prime Minister while she leads the party—a move she believes would benefit both the UML and the nation.

The Madan Bhandari Foundation has invited Oli as the Chief Guest and Bhandari as the Special Guest at Saturday’s event. However, following Oli’s reluctance to back her return, it remains uncertain how their public appearance together will unfold, with growing disappointment among Bhandari’s supporters.