KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has written a letter to the delegates of the CPN-UML Statute Convention, objecting to questions raised over her party membership renewal.

Bhandari clarified that her membership, first acquired in 1980, was renewed even after she completed her tenure as President on the advice of party leadership.

She expressed serious concern that attempts were now being made to reject or invalidate it. She accused some party leaders of deliberately spreading confusion through the media by claiming she was no longer a renewed member.

According to her, such actions have created uncertainty within the party and sent the wrong message to the public.

In her letter, Bhandari stressed that her membership status was not merely a personal matter but linked with party procedures, values, and democratic practices.

She warned that such questions weaken the entire democratic culture. Recalling that the party had once nominated her as the presidential candidate and that she had successfully fulfilled the responsibility, Bhandari said efforts to block her renewed membership upon her return to active politics were unfortunate.

Addressing the delegates, she urged them to resolve the membership dispute and strengthen party unity. “Our country will be strong only if our party is strong,” she said.

Through her letter, the former President called on all leaders and cadres to safeguard the principles of People’s Multiparty Democracy, democratic practices, and party unity, while facing current challenges together.