Former President Bhandari and Former Vice President Pun Active in Party Politics
Summary
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari and former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun have become active again in Nepalese party politics, reigniting debate on the appropriateness of ex-heads of state returning to active political roles.
Key Points
- Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari announced her return to active politics in the CPN-UML in June last year but faced delays in renewing her membership.
- UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli initially blocked Bhandari's membership renewal but later reversed the decision amid internal party challenges after the Janji movement.
- Former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has been active in the Communist Party of Nepal since December 2023, holding a central coordination role.
- Prominent leaders and analysts debate the ethics and appropriateness of former heads of state re-entering active politics, noting constitutional silence and varying international norms.
