Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s Return: Shaking Up CPN-UML’s Power Dynamics & Nepal’s Left Future

25th July 2025, Kathmandu

Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s active re-entry into national politics is sending ripples through the CPN-UML, igniting a fresh chapter in its internal power struggle and sparking wide speculation about her potential to reshape Nepal’s political landscape.

Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s Return

Her recent assumption of leadership at the Madan Bhandari Foundation and increased public engagement suggest a strategic return, poised to influence the nation’s political dynamics once again.

A Critical Juncture for CPN-UML

Bhandari’s comeback is particularly significant given the CPN-UML’s current state of internal flux. The party is grappling with deep-seated issues, including leadership succession, ideological direction, and regional power balancing. Party Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and other top brass are reportedly recalibrating their strategies, with Oli reportedly concerned about Bhandari’s growing engagement with party cadres, provincial leaders, and influential social factions across Nepal.

Reclaiming Political Ground

Sources within the CPN-UML confirm that Bhandari has been actively holding informal discussions with leaders from Bagmati Province and other districts. This move signals a deliberate effort to revive and leverage the extensive networks she built during her earlier political career. These developments firmly indicate that her role is no longer merely ceremonial; she is actively laying the groundwork to emerge as a significant counterforce within the party.

Political analysts interpret Bhandari’s return as a strategic move to regain relevance, especially as questions surrounding KP Oli’s leadership intensify. Her renewed focus on the ideological legacy of Madan Bhandari further positions her as a guardian of “people-centric leftist nationalism,” a core concept she has consistently championed.

Oli-Bhandari Dynamics: A Silent Clash Unfolds

While public appearances maintain a diplomatic front, the underlying power dynamics between Oli and Bhandari are undeniably strained. Despite their close alliance during Bhandari’s presidential tenure, political observers note a clear shift. As Oli prepares for the next General Convention, he is reportedly wary of Bhandari’s increasing appeal among the party’s rank and file, particularly younger, ideologically aligned groups.

Insiders suggest Oli’s apprehension stems from the possibility of Bhandari becoming a unifying figure for those disillusioned with his leadership style. Concerns over centralization, perceived lack of ideological clarity, and the erosion of internal democracy within the CPN-UML could further bolster support for an alternative voice.

Alternative Leadership or Pressure Group?

Bhandari’s actions, though lacking formal political announcements, speak volumes. Her moves could be seen as laying the groundwork for a new political formation or preparing to support a significant factional realignment within the CPN-UML itself. Regardless of her ultimate goal, her active engagement signals the rise of an alternative pole of influence that the current leadership cannot easily dismiss.

Her growing clout prompts critical questions: Will Bhandari aim to lead the party herself, or will she assume a mentor-like role, shaping the next generation of party leadership? The answers are expected to unfold gradually, but her re-emergence has undeniably rattled the existing political status quo.

Wider Implications for Nepal’s Left Movement

Bhandari’s comeback has also ignited broader discussions about the future of Nepal’s fragmented left movement. With the CPN (Maoist Centre) struggling for relevance and the Unified Socialist Party grappling with its identity, Bhandari’s reactivation could trigger significant realignments across various leftist parties. This is especially probable if she successfully positions herself as the custodian of Madan Bhandari’s ideological purity.

The Road Ahead

For now, Bidhya Devi Bhandari maintains an air of ambiguity regarding her precise political ambitions. However, the CPN-UML’s internal landscape has already begun to shift. The party’s top leadership, particularly KP Oli, faces the intricate task of carefully navigating this renewed power equation.

Whether her return ultimately leads to transformation or fragmentation within the CPN-UML remains to be seen. One undeniable fact, however, is clear: Bidhya Devi Bhandari is back in the political arena, and she means business.

Bidhya Devi Bhandari: Nepal’s First Woman President and Political Trailblazer

Bidhya Devi Bhandari is a prominent figure in Nepali politics, best known for being the first female President of Nepal. Born on June 19, 1961, in Mane Bhanjyang of Bhojpur district, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Nepal’s political landscape, particularly in the areas of women’s empowerment, republicanism, and leftist ideology.

Her political journey began in the youth and student wings of the then Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist–Leninist). She gained national prominence as the wife of Madan Bhandari, a charismatic leader whose ideological doctrine of “people’s multiparty democracy” significantly influenced Nepal’s leftist movement. Following his untimely death in a mysterious car accident in 1993, Bidhya Devi Bhandari stepped into mainstream politics and gradually emerged as a leader in her own right.

She served as a Member of Parliament multiple times and held ministerial positions, including Minister for Environment and Population in 1997 and Minister of Defence from 2009 to 2011. Bhandari was known for her firm leadership style and her role in advocating for inclusive provisions in the constitution, especially regarding women’s rights, social justice, and federalism.

In 2015, she was elected as the second President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, and notably, the first woman to hold the position. Her presidency was marked by a period of constitutional transition, post-earthquake reconstruction, and the strengthening of Nepal’s identity as a secular republic. She was re-elected in 2018 for a second term, making her one of the longest-serving ceremonial heads in Nepal’s modern political history.

While her tenure was constitutionally ceremonial, Bhandari often faced criticism and praise alike for her assertive interpretation of presidential powers—especially in matters of government formation, House dissolution, and bill endorsements. Despite the controversies, she remained a respected figure among many for breaking the highest glass ceiling in Nepali politics.

After completing her term in 2023, Bhandari has returned to public life and is increasingly active in the Madan Bhandari Foundation, sparking speculations about her renewed political ambitions. Her continuing influence, especially in CPN-UML, and her deep connections with grassroots politics, suggest that her role in shaping Nepal’s political future may not be over yet.

Bidhya Devi Bhandari remains a symbol of women’s political empowerment and republican resilience in Nepal.

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