Ahead of the upcoming UML Central Committee meeting and Statute Convention, the faction led by Vidya Bhandari is set to openly challenge party chair KP Sharma Oli.
Leaders of the Bhandari faction have concluded that Oli’s decision to suspend her membership undermines the multi-party democratic mandate of the people and are preparing to submit a separate report reflecting this view.
Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokharel and Vice-Chairs Yubaraj Gyawali and Surendra Pandey are actively involved in this effort.
After the closure of the Chyasal office, Bhandari opened a new contact office in Thapagaun, from where she is coordinating her faction’s activities.
The Central Committee meeting scheduled for Bhadra 13 (late August) is expected to raise questions about the membership suspension.
Alongside the political, statute, and organizational reports prepared by the Oli camp, the Bhandari faction is preparing to submit a separate report. They also plan to present their own political document at the Statute Convention.
The faction is demanding the reinstatement of the 70-year age limit and the two-term provision in the party statute. They believe that even if Oli’s leadership removes these provisions, the convention can restore them.
According to leaders close to Bhandari, the suspension has increased sympathy among dissatisfied leaders and cadres. They believe that meaningful discussions are possible only after applying pressure on Oli.
Meanwhile, Oli has argued that Bhandari had resigned her membership long ago, and her current activities are creating problems within the party.
With both sides preparing assertively, the UML Statute Convention is shaping up to become a decisive arena for demonstrating political strength.
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