KATHMANDU: The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) has reinstated the party membership of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, reversing an earlier Central Committee decision.

A secretariat meeting at party chair KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu today decided to restore her membership after it had been suspended earlier.

Bhandari had recently appeared as chief guest at a UML programme marking the 33rd Madan-Ashrit Memorial Day in Balkhu.

The decision comes amid internal party differences and growing pressure on the leadership following recent election setbacks.