Bidhya Bhandari’s membership renewal process is not approved.

Kathmandu- The CPN-UML has issued an inter-party directive directing the party to send suggestions on the amendment of the statute by Bhadra 10, in preparation for the second statutory general convention to be held in Godawari, Lalitpur from Bhadra 20-22.

In the inter-party directive issued by the UML, it has been mentioned that “the process of renewing Bhandari’s membership is not approved” in the context of the honorable former president’s involvement in party politics. In this context, the inter-party directive states:

“A democratic republic is not just a political system, it is also a culture, values and conduct in itself. The practices we adopt, the style to emulate and the norms we establish develop it as a holistic system. We must work accordingly with awareness and restraint to establish the democratic republic, which was established only a decade and a half ago, as a holistic system and the life of the nation. The Constitution of Nepal has entrusted the President with the important responsibility of being the symbol of national unity, the guardian and upholder of the Constitution and the Supreme Commander of the Nepali Army. This role in itself is highly respected, dignified and of historical importance. Keeping in mind this dignified position of the presidency, the Constitution of Nepal has made provision that the person elected to that position should be completely free from their party or other institutional affiliation and act impartially and work within the constitutional limits while in office. It is clear that our democratic system, which has a constitutional head of state, is different from the system of countries where the president is the chief executive.

The head of state in such a dignified role The Constitution of Nepal does not seem to envisage the issue of returning to one’s party affiliation even while holding office and even after retiring from it. In doing so, the work performed by the President while holding office may become controversial. We must all be aware that if work is performed with any hope or fear of the future, its credibility will be questioned. The example set by the first President of the Republic of Nepal in this regard is worth remembering here. The CPN (UML), which has been at the forefront of the sacrificial struggle to establish a democratic republic in the country for more than seven decades and has played a leading and decisive role in the formulation of the Constitution of Nepal, is determined to protect, develop and strengthen this system. Honorable former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari is a respected name in Nepali politics. Whether in the central leadership of her party and in the position of Vice President or in the position of Honorable President, she has performed those positions with great dignity, justice and excellence. She is an ‘icon’ of gender equality and inclusiveness in Nepal. Due to these contributions, the reference to being honored as the ‘Glory of the Republic’ at the Diamond Year Celebration of the Nepal Communist Party last year is worth remembering here. Whether as a party leader or as the head of the country and taking a break from it, she has always been honored for us.
Keeping in mind this background, context and recognition, the Central Committee should stand on the belief that the issue of a person who has reached high constitutional positions like the Constitutional President, Vice President returning to party politics is not in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, that it raises questions about the constitutionality and impartiality of the actions taken while in office, that it weakens democratic values and that the person’s own respected personality should not be disputed.

The Ninth Central Committee meeting of the party has decided the following regarding the honorable former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari based on the above recognition:

“Honorable former President Bidya Devi Bhandari should remain honored as the pride of the nation. She should not enter active politics. The CPN (UML) should not make a person who is the leader of the entire nation a cadre. The former president should remain respectfully as the pride of the nation’s republic. She is the jewel of the nation. She is also our jewel. Tthe process of renewing her membership is not approved.