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The discord between CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has further escalated, with both remaining adamant in their respective positions.

Prime Minister Oli and a majority of leaders in the party’s Central Committee (CC) believe that a former head of state should not return to active party politics. However, Bhandari has shown no signs of heeding the suggestions from Oli, UML leaders, or even opposition parties. A day after Oli instructed the CC members not to act as a ‘spokesperson’ for the former president, Bhandari warned against attempts to ‘terrorize’ her supporters. Speaking to a group of journalists, she reiterated her return to UML politics and firmly stated that she would not back down.

Whether out of deference to Oli or genuine concern, most CC members have echoed the view that a former president re-entering active politics would have negative implications for the nascent republic. Only a few leaders spoke in her favor during the CC meeting, and even they refrained from explicitly endorsing her political comeback. Meanwhile, most CC leaders have rallied behind Oli’s bid to lead the party for a third consecutive term at the upcoming general convention. To facilitate this, the UML is preparing to amend its statute at the upcoming statute convention. Some party leaders have even suggested that the ongoing CC meeting should unanimously propose Oli as party chair for the next five years.

A one-on-one meeting between Oli and Bhandari on Sunday failed to narrow the rift; instead, it appears to have widened it further. Outside the UML as well, the political environment remains largely unfavorable for Bhandari’s return. The largest party, Nepali Congress, has reiterated its stance that former presidents should refrain from active politics. “We have a clear position that the former president should not engage in active politics,” said NC leader Gopal Man Shrestha.

The main opposition, CPN (Maoist Center), has not taken a clear position, partly due to its own moral quandary, as former Vice President Nanda Kishwor Pun has already joined the party, ignoring similar objections about returning to active politics. Speaking from her private residence, Bhandari made it clear that there is no turning back. Oli and Bhandari have long shared a cordial relationship. Oli played a key role in securing her presidency in 2015.

At that time, there had been intense debate within the UML over the party's presidential nominee. Senior leaders like Madhav Kumar Nepal supported Jhala Nath Khanal or Astha Laxmi Shakya, but Oli stood firmly behind Bhandari. During her tenure, Bhandari and Oli maintained a close working relationship, with Bhandari often criticized for approving Oli’s decisions, including the controversial dissolution of Parliament, without any scrutiny. 

Tensions began to surface when Bhandari publicly expressed her intent to return to active politics. Initially, Oli did not oppose her. However, in her Nepali New Year message, Bhandari hinted at the need to review the party's current leadership, an indirect challenge to Oli’s position. This statement was widely interpreted as a signal that she aimed to displace Oli.

Despite the tension, the two leaders continued to meet regularly, either at Baluwatar or at Bhandari’s residence. In June, Bhandari visited China for a week, and the two met both before and after the trip. Her supporters claimed that China sees Bhandari as a future leader of the UML, potentially uniting the broader left. According to Bhandari, she had informed Oli of her intention to return to politics even while serving as president.

Relations soured further after Bhandari declared in an interview last week that she wishes to lead the party. In response, Oli reminded her that her party membership renewal is still pending. Bhandari had relinquished her UML membership after becoming president in 2015, upholding the principle that the head of state should remain impartial.

After her term ended in 2022, Bhandari submitted an application to renew her party membership. She claims to have done so six months after leaving office, and at the time, no UML leaders raised objections. However, party leaders now argue that the issue is political rather than technical. It remains unclear how the UML will resolve the matter of Bhandari’s return to active politics.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has unveiled the 'National Land Cover Map 2020/2022' at the President House, Shital Niwas on Tuesday.

The land cover map published by the Forest Research and Training Centre under the Ministry of Forests and Environment was handed to the President by the Centre's Director Dr Rajendra KC.

On the occasion, President Paudel said that the forest cover should be maintained in the field as it is on the map and paper. He emphasized the need to adopt all kinds of measures to protect the forest from deforestation and to earn from the forest.

According to the land cover map, the forest area in the country is 46.08 percent, while it is 58.62 percent in Bagmati Province.

A delegation led by chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), Chen Xiaodong, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar, discussions were held regarding the mutual relations between the two countries, bilateral agreement reached at the Ministry of Finance on Monday, and implementation of previously signed agreements on development cooperation during the high-level visits between the two countries, stated the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

On the occasion, PM Oli stated that there is a long and friendly relationship between Nepal and China, reiterating Nepal's commitment to the One China policy.

He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for prioritizing the construction of physical structures damaged at the border between the two countries in Rasuwagadhi due to the recent flash floods, and mentioned that the Nepali side has also expedited the necessary efforts to that end.

He emphasized the need to move forward without interruption in the operation of the Kimathangka and other border transit points with China, as well as in the projects under the 'Belt and Road Initiative Framework' to make Nepal land-linked from being land-locked.

Prime Minister's chief advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, economic development advisor Yuba Raj Khatiwada and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song were present in the meeting.

The delegation on Monday called on the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel and discussed the projects operated with the support of the Chinese government and those that will be implemented in the coming days.

On that occasion, a memorandum of understanding was signed regarding the project related to 'bone marrow transplantation' at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, Chitwan, and to conduct a feasibility study for the expansion of the Civil Service Hospital.

Similarly, a memorandum of understanding on human resource development between the two countries and a 'minute' regarding the feasibility study for the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung cross-border electricity transmission line was also signed during the meeting with the DPM and Finance Minister Paudel on Tuesday.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that Nepal's politics is built on the foundation of the national reconciliation policy adopted by BP Koirala.

Late BP Koirala is the founder of the Nepali Congress and the first people-elected Prime Minister of Nepal.

At a program jointly organized by BP Memorial Hospital, BP Memorial Foundation and Sports Department of the Nepali Congress on the occasion of 43rd BP Memorial Day today, NC President Deuba opined that BP Koirala's reconciliation policy is still relevant. 

He remembered that BP Koirala stood firmly in favour of democracy by sacrificing his life for the nation and the people. 

"In fact, BP's message that the country will be sovereign and prosperous only from a strong Congress and the reconciliation between national forces is still relevant," he argued. 

President Deuba mentioned that BP Koirala was of the firm opinion that national unity, country's prosperity and social harmony are greatest things than political interest.  

He stated that BP Koirala was not only a shining star of politics, but also of literature, as well as a thinker of democratic socialism. 

BP's political and literary thinking is also the guidelines for building a modern Nepal and he was always on stance that democratic system along with economic equality was indispensable to the country, added the NC President.

Deuba recalled that BP Koirala had returned to Nepal at a time when he was in exile and struggling against the then authoritarian Panchayat system from India analyzing the weakening of nationalism, adding the Nepali Congress is in present situation due to BP Koirala's ideals and values established from his sacrifice and contribution.