KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has formally submitted a request to return all government service facilities provided to her, effective from today.

A close source confirmed, “A request to return all the service facilities entitled to the former president has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the facilities are being returned effective today.”

On June 28, during a program commemorating the birth anniversary of her late husband Madan Bhandari, the then-General Secretary of CPN-UML, Bhandari announced her return to active politics with the UML.

Before becoming president in October 2015, Bhandari served as Vice-Chair of CPN-UML. She completed two terms as Nepal’s president, leaving office on March 13, 2023.

Bhandari’s announcement has intensified political tensions with her former close ally, Party Chair KP Sharma Oli, who is seeking a third term as UML chairperson ahead of the party’s upcoming general convention.