KATHMANDU: Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has stated that there has been no official discussion within the party regarding the return of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari to active UML politics.

In an interview with journalist Bijay Kumar Pandey, Oli expressed dissatisfaction with Bhandari’s recent political moves, saying she neither consulted him nor informed the party formally about her intentions.

Despite Bhandari announcing her return to UML during a Madan Bhandari Foundation program on June 28, where she reportedly renewed her party membership, Oli said he was unaware of any verbal or written communication from her.

He clarified that any decision about her reentry would require institutional approval from the party.

“She neither asked me nor consulted with the party,” Oli remarked, adding that no official mechanism has confirmed her return.

He emphasized that her prior position as UML vice-chair and being elected as president with UML support does not automatically warrant a return to leadership without thorough party-level deliberation.

Oli also raised ethical concerns, saying that it is not morally appropriate for someone who held the nation’s highest office to return to partisan politics.

He noted the need to evaluate the political, moral, structural, and personal implications of her comeback.

While Oli admitted being aware of Bhandari’s previous attempts to return to politics, he dismissed speculation about her taking leadership in the upcoming 11th General Convention.

He pointed out that her decade-long absence from active party work would be a challenge for assuming a leadership role.

Finally, Oli concluded that any decision about Bhandari’s role in UML will be made after internal discussions, stressing that such a serious matter cannot be decided unilaterally or informally.