Bhaktapur — CPN-UML central committee member Nirmal Bhattarai has warned that the Madan Bhandari Foundation will lose its existence if it is used against the party’s interests.
Speaking at an interaction organized by the Nepal Press Society in Suryabinayak on Sunday, Bhattarai said the foundation was showing signs of turning into a parallel structure. He added that UML is preparing to instruct leaders and cadres affiliated with the foundation to return to the party organization.
Bhattarai alleged that attempts were being made to use the foundation as a political platform for former President Bidya Devi Bhandari. He stressed that such an effort would not succeed. “The former President will ultimately return home and live as a respected ex-head of state. There is no space to carry out political activities through the foundation,” he said.
Senior Leaders Urged to Choose
He also questioned the involvement of senior UML leaders Ishwar Pokharel, Surendra Pandey, and Yuvaraj Gyawali. “Do you want to be leaders of the foundation, or leaders of UML? It is not appropriate to place one foot in the party and another in the foundation,” Bhattarai stated.
Bhattarai’s remarks are seen as a direct message to UML’s internal leadership. The party has already indicated it will soon settle the dispute over whether the foundation can operate alongside the party. His warning signals that the debate is set to intensify in the coming weeks.
