CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, who is also the prime minister, has said that the issue of former president Bidya Devi Bhandari’s party membership will be discussed in the upcoming central committee meeting.
According to UML leader Binod Dhakal, Oli made this remark during his address at the end of the statute convention that concluded in Godawari, Lalitpur, on Sunday.
“This statute convention has concluded in a united manner,” Dhakal, a central advisory committee member of the UML, told journalists on Sunday. “In the secretariat meeting held on September 4, it was agreed not to discuss Bidya Bhandari’s membership since the focus was on the statute convention. Accordingly, the convention discussed proposals related to the statute and political reports. However, during group discussions, voices were raised that Bhandari should not be prevented from returning to the party. Group leaders also highlighted this during their presentations.”
According to Dhakal, Oli said in his concluding remarks that the matter would be discussed in the upcoming central committee meeting.
Dhakal, a leader from Morang, has come out in support of former president Bhandari.
“Since this was a statute convention, it had been decided not to discuss her membership. Nevertheless, the issue was raised extensively. During his address, the chairman said that the matter would be discussed in the upcoming central committee meeting.”
A UML central committee meeting held in August had decided not to renew Bhandari’s membership.
This decision was opposed by Vice-chairmen Surendra Pandey and Yuvaraj Gyawali, standing committee member Karna Thapa, and others.
During the statute convention, many representatives openly supported Bhandari. However, Oli had previously said that the issue would not be discussed during the convention.
