KATHMANDU – Former Vice Chairperson of the CPN (UML) and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has addressed a letter to the representatives of UML’s second Statute General Convention.
In the letter, she states that the controversy surrounding the renewal of her party membership has raised questions about the party’s unity and democratic values.
She mentions in the letter that the issue is not personal, but rather related to the party’s procedures, values, and future.
Following the Central Committee meeting of the UML raising questions about her renewed membership, Bhandari expressed her views through this letter on the eve of the General Convention. She expressed surprise that her membership, which had never been questioned in prior meetings of the party secretariat, standing committee, or central committee, is now being disputed.
“I have devoted a long part of my life to the nation, the people, and the party. I have continuously raised my voice for women’s rights, human rights, justice, and equality,” she wrote. “Today, the question raised over my membership is not only serious for me but also for the party and the entire nation. This letter is not for self-defense, but for the bright future of the party.”
Mentioning that her party membership, obtained in 1980 AD symbolizes her faith and belief, she expressed sorrow over the attempts to undermine it. She objected to the effort to prevent her from being active in the party again after having dutifully fulfilled her responsibilities when the party made a special decision to make her the President.
“This issue should not be faced by any party member, not just me,” she lamented.
She recalled that on June 28, 2025, at an event organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation in the presence of party chairman KP Sharma Oli, the renewal of her membership had been publicly announced. At that event, she had addressed the invincibility of People’s Multiparty Democracy (PMD), socio-economic transformation, and the strengthening of the party.
Bhandari has urged the leadership to maintain her membership and to create a unified environment within the party. She stated that this issue is tied to the faith and rights of all party members and mentioned that she wrote this letter to defend the party’s procedures, values, and democratic practices.
She warned that if the party’s rules, methods, and democratic practices are weakened, it will affect the entire party, and she urged for timely correction.
