Bhandari's first address as senior vice-chair stresses left unity

Former President Vidya Devi Bhandari has said she will remain active in CPN-UML and work to strengthen the left movement. She made her first formal address after being given the responsibility of senior leader of the party at a reception program organized by UML Rupandehi in Butwal on Tuesday.

UML had decided on Asoj 8 to give Bhandari the responsibility of honorary senior leader, and the Central Committee has endorsed the decision. She said she has returned to the party because, although there is no higher position to attain, she still wishes to serve the country and the people.

She said past splits in the party have affected UML and the broader left movement as a whole. She recalled that although left unity produced good results in the 2074 BS elections, the subsequent split caused political damage.

Bhandari said leadership should not burden cadres with the weight of its own shortcomings, and that self-reflection is needed before blaming others. She urged leaders and cadres not to be demoralized by the outcome of a single election.

She also stressed the need to make up for the declining presence of the younger generation in the party. She said she would play whatever role she could to stop attacks by power centers seeking to finish off the communist movement in Nepal.

She suggested the government and stakeholders should consult industrialists to resolve problems for expanding industry and business in Lumbini province. She called the international airport, international convention center and road infrastructure construction important achievements of the region.