KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML has concluded that former presidents, who have served as the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Nepal Army, should not return to party politics.

During the Central Committee meeting held on Tuesday, the party concluded that making a former president — a symbol of the republic — a party leader or cadre would go against the spirit of the constitution, according to UML publicity chief Rajendra Gautam.

At a press briefing, Gautam said the party holds respect for former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, but added that someone who has held such a high constitutional post should not represent a political party again.

He said such involvement would undermine the dignity of the presidency and invite public criticism.

The party’s meeting also backed KP Sharma Oli to continue as UML chairperson, removing the age limit of 70 years and the two-term cap.

These amendments are expected to be endorsed in the upcoming statute convention.

Gautam said most leaders speaking at the meeting supported Oli’s continued leadership for the Mission-2084 campaign.

He also revealed that a few leaders, including vice-chairs Surendra Pandey and Yubaraj Gyawali, and standing committee member Karna Bahadur Thapa, disagreed with the decision to bar Bhandari from returning.

The party also passed the statute amendment proposal by Vice Chair Bishnu Poudel and the organizational proposal by General Secretary Shankar Pokharel.