Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met with former President Bidya Devi Bhandari at her residence in Budhanilkantha on Thursday. The two-hour-long meeting focused on recent political developments, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

Oli, who also serves as the chair of the UML, reportedly engaged in discussions on the party's current trajectory and strategies. The meeting comes amid speculation that former President Bhandari is seeking an active return to UML politics.

The UML recently faced internal turmoil after expelling former vice-chair Bhim Rawal and suspending central leaders Binda Pandey and Ushakiran Timsina. The disciplinary action was taken after they publicly criticised the party’s decision to accept donations from Min Bahadur Gurung, the controversial proprietor of Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket, for constructing the party headquarters.

The meeting between Oli and Bhandari also coincides with former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun’s increasing involvement in the CPN-Maoist Centre. Pun attended the party’s standing committee meeting on Thursday, fuelling speculation about his growing political engagement.