Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Friday said her party membership with the CPN-UML had already been renewed and there was no reason to drag it into controversy.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu, Bhandari claimed her return to politics after completing her presidential term was a constitutional right and should not be viewed as inappropriate.

“There is no reason to question my party membership renewal. I have exercised my constitutional right to re-enter politics,” she said.

She accused the UML leadership of trying to undermine her political rights by terming her return unconstitutional. “The constitution guarantees the right to political participation. There is nothing in the constitution, laws or the party statute that bars me from joining politics again,” she said.

Bhandari said she rejoined politics to help strengthen the party and uphold its ideological principles, including the People’s Multiparty Democracy line. She also criticised the UML’s recent decision to block her return, calling it ‘emotional and impulsive.’

“I was a UML member for 35 years when I became President. Now it has been 45 years. Denying me party membership despite my commitment to its principles is unacceptable,” she said. “I urge all party members to firmly uphold the party’s values and work towards building a stronger organisation.”

Her comments come in response to a UML Central Committee decision earlier this week, which called her return to party politics inappropriate for someone who has held a high constitutional post.

The UML Central Committee meeting that concluded on Tuesday midnight decided not to approve the renewal of Bhandari’s membership arguing that individuals who have held high constitutional positions such as President and Vice President re-entering party politics goes against the spirit of the Constitution.

The meeting said such a move could raise questions over the constitutionality and impartiality of decisions made while in office, undermine democratic values, and tarnish the dignity of the individual concerned.

The party had earlier endorsed a statute amendment removing the 70-year age limit and two-term cap for executive positions, a change Bhandari was reportedly hoping to use to challenge party chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

However, the same meeting saw strong opposition to Bhandari’s return, with over 90 percent of central members reportedly backing Oli.

Political analysts say Bhandari’s attempt to re-enter UML politics poses a serious challenge to Oli’s leadership. Although Oli has consolidated power within the party since the 10th General Convention held in 2021, Bhandari retains significant grassroots influence, partly through the Madan Bhandari Foundation, which she leads.

Despite the resistance, Bhandari has shown no signs of backing down. On Tuesday, while the central committee meeting was underway, she told journalists she had already stepped into party politics and would not retreat.

“There are attempts to terrorise those who support me. This must stop,” she said.

Veteran leftist Radhakrishna Mainali earlier told the Post that the rift between Bhandari and Oli signals a deeper divide within the party.

“She may appear weak institutionally, but she still holds firm ground through her network and support base,” he said.

The party’s National Statute Convention scheduled for September 5–7 in Godavari, Lalitpur will make final decisions on the statute and leadership structure.