KATHMANDU, July 21: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has said that although former President Bidya Devi Bhandari's return to active politics would benefit the party, it would come at the cost of democratic values. He stated that it would be more appropriate for Bhandari to remain in the role of a former president.
Pokharel said this was the reason behind the party’s central committee decision not to renew Bhandari’s party membership.
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“Bidya Bhandari’s reentry into UML politics would definitely strengthen the party. Her presence would make UML stronger. But such a move would undermine democratic norms and values,” Pokharel said at a press conference organized by the party’s publicity department on Wednesday.
He clarified that the party does not expect Bhandari to stay idle just because her membership hasn’t been renewed. “As a former president, she is a guardian of the nation. It’s not unusual for her to express concern or interest in contemporary political matters,” Pokharel added.
Responding to a journalist’s question, Pokharel said that any general convention representative who meets the qualifications can run for the party chairmanship. “Anyone who qualifies can contest for the chair. We’ve not restricted anyone,” he said. “But the central committee unanimously endorsed KP Oli as the leader to carry forward Mission 2084.”