Biratnagar – Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari is scheduled to meet party cadres at the CPN-UML Morang office on Tuesday, a visit that has further exposed divisions inside the party. Bhandari, who arrived in Biratnagar on Monday, is set to reach the Panchali-based party office at noon.
Leaders aligned with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli have instructed members not to attend, claiming no official program has been organized. Parsuram Basnet, the party’s Biratnagar Metropolitan in-charge, wrote on social media that “the party has not decided on any such event and cadres should not be misled.”
Supporters of Bhandari insist pressure is being applied to discourage participation. They allege that Province Chairman Ghanshyam Khatri and Chief Minister Hikmat Karki have been calling cadres directly, urging them to stay away. “The leadership is using state power to intimidate members,” said one leader close to Bhandari. “Telling cadres not to welcome a senior leader only shows fear. There will be a strong turnout.”
According to her camp, Bhandari retains strong influence in both the Morang and Biratnagar committees, which they believe will ensure significant participation. Following the gathering, the former president is scheduled to return to Kathmandu at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
