After the CPN-UML made a political decision to block her from returning to the party, former president Bidya Devi Bhandari has begun preparations to challenge it.
Following the decision to prevent Bhandari from rejoining the party, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has been in continuous discussions with province in-charges and central members to prevent further polarization within the lower ranks.
To ensure that the environment does not turn in Bhandari’s favor and that the central committee’s decision is not overturned, Oli has kept the door open for central members at Baluwatar.
Bhandari, too, is engaged in discussions.
A party leader revealed that Bhandari, who held a press conference on Friday stating she would not be deterred by Oli’s harsh move, has been continuously holding talks with leaders and central members close to her.
According to the leader, Bhandari is pushing for discussions aimed at overturning the central committee’s decision during the party’s upcoming statute convention.
Bhandari is also planning to visit provinces in a few days. However, due to the active monsoon season and the pending distribution of the central committee’s decision and statute amendment proposals, she has not yet finalized her plans.
The UML must send an intra-party directive regarding the decisions of the ninth central committee meeting along with statute amendment proposals to lower committees for discussion.
As per Article 89 (2) of the party statute, amendment proposals must be sent to subordinate committees and members for discussion at least one month before the statute convention begins.
The UML’s second statute convention is scheduled to take place from September 5 to 7 in Godavari, Lalitpur. Therefore, amendment proposals must be sent to lower committees for discussion by August 5. Bhandari will intensify her activities only after that, the leader said.
"Her first effort will be to sway as many convention representatives as possible to her side and push for the central committee’s decision to be overturned at the statute convention," the leader said. "The establishment faction is accusing her of being instigated by others and engaging in activities that weaken the party. They are also spreading misleading propaganda by citing statements from Congress leader Shekhar Koirala and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. She will have to engage in a tough internal struggle to dispel that."
Bhandari is assessing her strength to intensify discussions aimed at reversing the central committee’s decision at the statute convention. In the first phase, she plans to hold extensive talks with top party leaders, central members, and district in-charges before visiting provinces.
As per Article 15 of the party statute, representatives of the 10th national general convention will also serve as representatives for the second statute convention. The 10th general convention had around 2,200 representatives. After accounting for those who have since died or left the party, the statute convention is expected to have around 2,000 representatives this time.
"Even if people remain silent in the central committee for various reasons, representatives express their views at the statute convention. That’s what we’re preparing for," a leader close to Bhandari said.
According to the leader, Bhandari enjoys strong support in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces. However, her support is relatively weaker in Madhes, Karnali, and Sudur Paschim. Her supporters aim to intensify discussions among leaders and cadres in these provinces.
"Instructions have been given to province in-charges and central members. Despite intimidation and inducements at lower levels, leaders and cadres are preparing to speak out against the unconstitutional decision against the former president," the leader said.
Bhandari’s faction had expected some leaders in Gandaki province to come out in her support.
Leaders close to her claim that while Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung, Secretary Padma Aryal, and other leaders have openly sided with Oli, veteran leaders in the province support Bhandari.
They say that since former province chief Somnath Pyasi, former National Assembly chairman Ganesh Timilsina, Ganeshman Gurung, Jamindraman Ghale, and other leaders have expressed support for Bhandari, it shows that the situation in Gandaki has not yet turned against her.
With strong support in Bagmati province, including the Kathmandu Valley, and Koshi province, Bhandari’s allies believe their voice will be robust at the statute convention.
