KATHMANDU: The 9th Central Committee meeting of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) continued on Tuesday, with 58 members expressing their views on the second day, according to Party Publicity Chief Rajendra Gautam.

On the first day, 49 members shared their opinions. Gautam said that after a total of 77 members have spoken, the meeting is expected to conclude today.

During Tuesday’s session, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s active return to UML politics, party membership renewal, and the arrangement of organized memberships were also discussed.

Gautam stated that emphasis was placed on restructuring grassroots committees, especially electoral constituency coordination committees.

The party’s membership reportedly increased by about 139,000 members, a 28 percent rise. Central committee members raised concerns about government effectiveness and inflation.

Most members brought up the issue of whether the former president should renew her party membership and re-enter active politics.

Referring to the constitution, Gautam said the president’s role as Nepal’s head of state, symbol of national unity, protector of the constitution, and supreme commander of the Nepal Army is clearly defined.

He added that joining a political party after serving as president is not merely a technical or party matter but an important political question requiring the party to make a clear political decision considering its impact on the people, governance, and constitutional precedent.

Gautam said the committee meeting will take a significant decision on this issue, and they expect the party chairman and prime minister to announce it in their closing address.