Former President Bhandari’s Entry into UML Politics Temporarily Postponed by PM Oli: Purna Basnet

Purna Basnet, head of the publicity department of Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal, has stated that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has temporarily put on hold the plan to bring former President Bidya Devi Bhandari into active UML politics. According to Basnet, Oli took this step after Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba strongly objected to Bhandari's return to active politics.

Basnet said, “Given the current situation, it is not possible for Bidya Bhandari to return to active UML politics just because Oli wants it. For that, Deuba's consent is necessary. However, during a recent meeting with Oli, Deuba strongly opposed the idea and even warned that it could jeopardize the current government. Oli was visibly shaken by Deuba’s reaction.”

Despite Oli’s internal desire to bring Bhandari into UML politics, Basnet said the circumstances are not favorable. “Almost all parties and leaders are annoyed with Oli at the moment. If Deuba gets more irritated, this government could collapse. Understanding all of this, Oli has decided to postpone the idea of bringing Bhandari into the party for now,” Basnet added.

Basnet also claimed that it is not a big issue if Bhandari does not become a representative at the upcoming Statute General Convention. He emphasized that since the convention will not elect the party leadership, it holds little significance in that regard. According to him, for Oli, leading the government is currently more important than Bhandari’s party membership.

He concluded by saying that the direction of the political landscape up to the party’s General Convention will determine Oli’s decisions, and ultimately, Oli’s decision will define Bhandari’s political future.