Kathmandu: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has strongly objected to any attempt to deprive her of membership in the CPN-UML, the party she helped build over four decades. Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Friday, Bhandari declared her unwavering commitment to the party’s ideals and reaffirmed her intent to actively rejoin politics.

Bhandari said she had been a member of the UML for 35 years even during her presidency, and it had now been 45 years since she joined the party. “Despite fulfilling my constitutional duties as head of state, I have remained committed to the party’s values,” she said, adding that it would be “unjust and unconstitutional” to deny her the right to be a party member.

Citing the People’s Multi-Party Democracy (JBJ) as the guiding principle of the UML, she urged all party ranks to defend its ideals and help make the party ideologically stronger and organizationally unified. “This is the voice of my conscience,” she said, “I call on all comrades to remain confident and active in strengthening the party.”

Addressing questions about her political ambitions, Bhandari emphasized she had no interest in holding any position, saying, “I have already written my name in history by reaching the highest post in the country. My only desire now is to contribute to party-building and national service.”

She stressed that Nepal’s Constitution guarantees the right to political belief and party affiliation, and criticized internal party decisions that aim to curtail her constitutional freedoms. “These actions not only violate the law but also damage the party’s democratic image,” she warned.

The former President concluded with a clear message: her return to active politics is guided by principle, not personal ambition, and she remains firmly committed to serving the people and strengthening the UML.

Her remarks come amid growing internal tensions within CPN-UML, with some leaders reportedly uneasy about her return to active political life.