Nepal's political grapevine has come alive lately with speculation that the former President and Vice President would return to active politics by rejoining their previous parties, trivializing their esteemed offices highly respected for their dignity, impartiality and unifying capability. In a federal democratic republic set-up of governance, the President and Vice President are revered highly for their role as non-partisan entities who can unite the nation and people. However, lately Bidya Devi Bhandari and Nanda Bahadur Pun, who served as President and Vice President of Nepal for two terms from October 31, 2015, to March 20, 2023, are allegedly preparing the groundwork to return to their old parties — CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist and the Maoist Center. Bhandari's political comeback is aimed at filling the likely leadership void in case party chair KP Sharma Oli departs, and she is said to be actively working with the party's second-tier leaders. Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, on the other hand, has personally encouraged Pun to rejoin the Maoist Center. Pun's return as party vice-chair, many view, will help Dahal consolidate his position within the Maoist Center. That would also facilitate Bhandari's ultimate political comeback, challenging Oli's undisputed position in the party.
Earlier, to fulfill the obligations that came with their constitutional positions, Bhandari and Pun distanced themselves from party politics by giving up their party membership. But, sources say, Bhandari now intends to challenge Oli for leadership in the CPN-UML's next convention, as demonstrated by her renewed membership and engagements with party loyalists. Both the UML and the Maoist Center are dealing with calls for leadership transitions to younger and more active leaders. However, many in the country are aware of the esteemed role of the presidency and vice presidency in Nepal which embraced the federal republicanism system of governance in 2015 through its new constitution. Barring a few party loyalists, many are opposed to the former head and her deputy returning to politics.
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Truly, the sanctity of the offices of President and Vice President is dependent on their capacity to rise above party politics. These positions embody the nation's common aspirations and act as a moral compass during testing periods. Former President Bhandari and her deputy would do well if they take a cue from their predecessor President Ram Baran Yadav, who has demonstrated no desire to return to active politics after he completed his tenure. Over the years, Yadav, an avowed supporter of the constitutional role of Presidents, truly became a role model as he keeps taking part in several social activities while offering his insights on making the Office of the President free of any bias or controversy. When the former heads of state return to politics, they endanger the prestige by participating in political manipulation and bipartisan acts. Our political parties and those responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the President’s Office must therefore take a strong, collective stance against any attempt to reverse such a worrisome trend. The parties should stand together and push for constitutional amendments or legislation to prohibit past presidents and their deputies from pursuing or holding political offices after leaving office. If Bhandari and Pun return to politics, the progress of Nepal's federal republican democratic system, as well as their legacy, will definitely suffer. Instead of returning to party politics, they should embrace their role as senior statesmen and try to be role models by providing guidance, counsel and moral authority from a safe distance.
