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Biratnagar, Aug 19 : Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed dissatisfaction with CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli’s remarks about her late husband Madan Bhandari. UML leaders close to her said she was particularly upset over Oli’s comments made at a recent public event in Kathmandu, where he referred to “four wives” and alleged cooperative loot linked to Madan.

During her visit to Biratnagar on Monday, Bhandari raised the issue with leaders from both her circle and Oli’s camp. Oli’s remarks referred to an old controversy from the Panchayat era when Congress leaders accused communists led by Madan of seizing fertilizers and food grains from the Itahari branch of Sajha Institution and distributing them to people. Congress had long claimed that large amounts of supplies were misused, and the Sajha’s properties were auctioned 16 years ago after it failed to repay loans.

Bhandari arrived in Biratnagar to attend the anniversary celebration of Udgosh Daily and is set to return to Kathmandu on Tuesday. Only a limited number of UML leaders reached the airport to welcome her. UML Biratnagar in-charge Parshuram Basnet even issued a notice discouraging cadres from attending, though Bhandari later joined a party office event in Panchali.

At a press meet in Biratnagar, when asked why Oli would undermine her family’s contribution to the party, Bhandari replied, “That question should be asked to Chair Oli himself.” On being asked why she remained in UML despite such treatment, she said, “I am still UML. The party made me President, and after completing my responsibility, I returned. I first took membership here in Morang 45 years ago.”

Bhandari also expressed displeasure over Oli’s remarks about her recent meeting with Nepali Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala, saying their discussion on national politics had been unnecessarily sensationalized.

Later that night, Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Karki, along with his cabinet, met Bhandari at her hotel, where she again complained of being insulted by Oli. Karki then held a private hour-long discussion with her. Bhandari has renounced all post-presidential facilities, declaring her return to active politics. UML leaders, though, claim her party membership has not been renewed and say she may not even be invited as a guest to the upcoming statute convention.

People’s News Monitoring Service