Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has officially informed the Ministry of Home Affairs that she will not be availing herself of any state-provided services and privileges afforded to former heads of state.

Her private secretariat submitted a formal letter to the ministry on Wednesday confirming the decision.

The move follows Bhandari’s recent announcement of her return to active politics as a member of the CPN-UML, ending her nearly decade-long hiatus from party politics after serving two consecutive terms as President of Nepal.

Speaking at a programme organised to mark the 74th birth anniversary of the late communist leader Madan Kumar Bhandari, she declared on Saturday that her mission to build a prosperous Nepal remains unfinished.

“There is no room for fatigue in politics. The welfare of the people and the nation remains my ultimate goal,” she said.

Sources close to Bhandari say her decision to relinquish state perks stems from a desire to avoid controversy now that she is reengaging in partisan activities. They argue that accepting government benefits while actively participating in party politics would raise ethical concerns.

Bhandari, who previously served as vice-chair of the UML before becoming head of state in 2015, recently renewed her party membership, aligning herself once again with the country’s largest communist party.

Her political re-entry has intensified internal party dynamics, with speculation mounting that she may seek a leadership position in the party’s upcoming general convention.