Kathmandu, April 15 – After the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) suffered a significant defeat in the House of Representatives election, the party has yet to conduct an institutional review. However, the activity of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has intensified. Since the election on March 6, Bhandari has met UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli three times.
On the most recent occasion, last Sunday, Bhandari went to Maharajgunj Teaching Hospital to meet Oli. Prior to this, she held a meeting with Oli on March 30 and had also met him before his arrest on March 28. Notably, the three meetings Bhandari arranged with Oli carry distinct contexts. On March 13, she visited Gundu to express condolences after the death of Oli’s father on February 10. The subsequent meeting related to Oli’s arrest, and the meeting on March 30 concerned preparations for Oli’s gallbladder surgery.
Sources reveal that during these meetings, Bhandari did not only express sympathy for Oli but also discussed the crisis within the party. She has already proposed the reorganization of the UML to Oli and has accelerated her engagements with other party leaders.
During the meeting last Sunday, Bhandari and Oli engaged in an extensive discussion covering the election loss, national politics, and possible solutions. According to sources, Bhandari emphasized the necessity of party reorganization as a method to resolve UML’s crisis, expressing doubts about the party’s revival under Oli’s leadership. However, Oli has not shown positive responses to her proposals.
Bhandari’s personal secretary, Rajkumar Rai, commented, “Meetings are ongoing with those coming to see her.” Bhandari continues dialogue with top leaders of the party. In the second week of March, she convened a discussion at her residence with UML officials, where most participants agreed on the conclusion for party reorganization. Despite Oli managing party affairs even from the hospital, Bhandari appears to have brought the reorganization issue to discussions beyond the party’s sphere.
