As the CPN-UML’s two-day Central Committee meeting ends, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s attempt at political adventurism appears to have been put on hold—for now.

Over 90 percent of members spoke in favour of party chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during the central committee meeting that ended on Tuesday. A significant obstacle has emerged to Bhandari’s political ambitions after UML central members argued that the former President should not return to active politics.

The central committee meeting also endorsed the proposed statute amendment—passed earlier by the party’s Secretariat and Politburo—to remove the age limit of 70 years and the two-term cap for leadership. Bhandari had reportedly hoped to capitalise on this provision and push Oli into retirement from UML politics and position herself as a new leader. Oli, 74, is serving his second term as party chairman.

The central committee meeting endorsed the statute amendment proposal and a request for the former President not to enter active politics, a party leader present in the meeting said.

This appeared to have sealed the former President’s political adventurism for the time being, said Chandra Dev Bhatta, a political analyst. “But it is also not the end of the road for her.”

For someone who has twice held the country’s highest office, her announcement to enter active party politics and subsequent efforts in that direction were questioned all around–even though the constitution does not bar such a move.

Even if she backs off, the voices raised during the party’s politburo and central committee meetings have made it clear that it would not be smooth, said another party leader.

Political analysts say it is not an ordinary matter for someone who had renounced party membership before assuming the presidency to rejoin active politics.

The Constitution of Nepal in Article 61 outlines the role of the President. Clause 2 of article states that the President shall be the head of state. Clause 3 defines the President as the symbol of national unity. Clause 4 establishes the President as the guardian and protector of the constitution.

Additionally, Article 267 (2) recognises the President as the supreme commander of the Nepal Army. Prime Minister and UML Chairman Oli has repeatedly stated that it is inappropriate for someone who has served as President to be actively involved in party politics.

Rajendra Gautam, head of the party’s publicity department, told the Post that the majority of leaders who spoke during the two-day meeting echoed this sentiment.

“The former head of state joining a political party is not merely a technical matter. It has implications on public perception, the political system, and governance,” Gautam said. “So many of the central committee members suggested that the party must take clear political positions in line with the spirit of the constitution and set a proper precedent.”

Left-leaning political analyst Jhalak Subedi argues that if the Oli camp attempts to block Bhandari from entering party politics, it could prove counterproductive for the party overall.

After the UML’s 10th General Convention held in Chitwan in November 2021, Oli had been running the party as a one-man show. Bhandari’s announcement to enter active politics of the UML was anticipated as a challenge to him.

But there were no such indications during the party’s central committee meeting, nor in the politburo meeting that preceded it.

Even before completing her two presidential terms, Bhandari had begun hinting at a return to active politics. During her final days in office, she openly declared her intent to re-engage in the UML politics.

After completing her term as President, Bhandari chose not to avail herself of the official residence provided to former heads of state. Instead, she chose to reside at her private home in Bhangal, Kathmandu. Alongside her June 28 declaration of returning to active politics, she also announced that she would forgo all other government services she had been receiving.

Some left-leaning political analysts argue that although Oli still maintains his grip on the party committees, Bhandari is unlikely to concede ground easily. Her recent actions seem to reinforce this assessment.

On Sunday, Bhandari and Oli held a meeting at the party’s central office in Chyasal to discuss her return to active politics and the renewal of her party membership. Oli reportedly urged Bhandari not to return, but she responded by saying that she had already made her move.

On Tuesday, as the central committee meeting was underway in Chyasal, Bhandari held an informal conversation with a few mediapersons where she clearly stated that she had stepped into party politics and did not intend to turn back. Referring to the atmosphere within the central committee and politburo meetings, she subtly cautioned party leaders against creating an environment of terror.

“I have already moved forward; I won’t step back,” Bhandari said, expressing concern over attempts to intimidate those who support her. “In fact, efforts are being made to terrorise those who speak in my favour—this must stop.”

While delivering his remarks on the first day of the central committee meeting, Oli on Monday had warned party leaders against acting as spokespersons for Bhandari. He warned of disciplinary action against such conduct.

Oli said the party was currently under “extraordinary attacks” and had become a target of a well-funded campaign.

Veteran leftist leader Radhakrishna Mainali says a vertical division has appeared in the UML. Although Bhandari appears weak, Oli will not find it easy to sideline her, as she still holds considerable influence at the grassroots level, Mainali said.

Mainali argues that the Madan Bhandari Foundation, which Bhandari oversees and which receives funding from both national and international sources, continues to strengthen her position in the party. He adds that, unlike Oli’s other rivals who have been sidelined, Bhandari’s standing remains firm—partly because many UML cadres are actively engaged with the foundation, some even drawing salaries from it.

Ideally, a former president like Bhandari should not have returned to active politics but now that she has stepped in, Oli cannot afford to ignore her, Mainali said.

“The recommendations from the party’s Secretariat, Politburo, and Central Committee will be presented at the Statute Convention,” he said. “While Bhandari may currently appear weak within all three bodies, the situation can still shift in her favour.”

Instead of focusing on formulating policies to counter the growing public disenchantment with political parties and their leaders, the UML central committee meeting remained largely personality-centred.

The statute amendment proposal, drafted by party Vice-chair Bishnu Poudel and endorsed by all three tiers of the party, will now be presented at the UML’s second National Statute Convention, scheduled to be held from September 5 to 7 in Godavari, Lalitpur.