After former President Bidya Devi Bhandari renewed the party's organized membership and increased political activism, explanations and debates about this have started in UML from various angles. Some have interpreted his activism as a competitor of UML president KP Sharma Oli, while others have said it as a new starting point for the exercise of left unity.

Bhandari, who has been the president for two terms, and Oli, who has been the president for two terms, are aspiring for the future leadership of UML. In the meantime, Oli did not mention Bhandari's name from the public platform and made a sarcasm by saying that 'so-and-so will come without announcing the convention'. Bhandari retorted by saying that she does not need to take permission from the UML committees and leaders to travel within her country.

The conversation between the two leaders took place while the UML was rocking with their statement. A two-hour meeting was held between the two leaders at the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar, last Tuesday night. According to sources, Bhandari had given a clear indication to Oli that she would be active in politics. Without giving a clear answer, Oli had said that it was necessary to counter by saying that there was an all-round siege against the party and the leadership. Earlier last December, there was a conversation between the two leaders at Bhandari residence Budhanilkanth. 

After Bhandari's political activism, UML leaders understand that the door of dialogue has opened for future 'cooperation' between the two. "We have received information that the former president is in a state of mind to compete for the leadership if there is no consensus," said a Bhandari-supporting leader within the party, "The conversation with President Oli is for that purpose." Earlier, Prime Minister Oli was the chief guest, but this time he is scheduled to visit Spain at that time. Leaders close to him claim that Bhandari has prepared to announce that he will join active politics in the event.

Not only within the country, but also abroad, Oli was shocked when Bhandari started expanding relations as a UML leader. During her visit to China in the second week of May, Bhandari presented herself as a UML leader. Oli believes that UML leaders have a hand in Bhandari's political activism. That is why he has started saying that factionalism within the party is increasing in public events. 

On the other hand, Bhandari held extensive discussions with leaders and activists during her visit to Pokhara, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and other cities. The leaders who have been advising him to enter active politics have been lobbying for the provision that the party officials should be 70 years old or should not serve more than two terms in the executive position. 

If both these provisions are implemented, Oli will not be able to become the president. Having been the president for two terms, he has also been 70 years old. Born in 2018, Bhandari is only 64 years old. Senior Vice President Ishwar Pokharel, Vice Presidents Yuvraj Gyawali, Ashtalakshmi Shakya, Surendra Pandey and others are in favor of implementing the age limit and two terms.

General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, Vishnu Rimal are in favor of not implementing both provisions saying that the need for thought and leadership is more important than tenure and age limit. Other officials are not open about it.

UML Senior Vice President Pokharel said that the executive position should not exceed two terms except in special cases. But under normal conditions, there may be many problems after staying in the same position for more than two times. This party is also involved in the campaign of democratization of life,” he said.

UML Vice President Gyawali said that although the age limit provision is currently suspended, it is a subject of debate in the Legislative Assembly. I will leave when I reach 70 years. Others of this age should also pave the way,' he said, 'the upcoming legislative convention will be a subject of debate.' 

Senior Vice President Pokharel said that the age limit has been suspended for leaders including Mukund Neupane, who came to UML from the United Socialist Party.

The statute passed by the 10th Congress still mentions the age limit. It was postponed due to practicality," he said. "It will now go to the legislative session for approval. That convention will decide whether to keep the age limit or not.'

President Oli said that the 70-year age limit had already failed at the 25th of June at the convention of UNSWA. The issue of age limit of 70 years has failed. Now I am 74 years old, I will retire at 70 years old? Shouldn't the age be reduced by 4 years?,' Oli said, 'health supports or not, functionality or not, that's the main thing.' In October 2078, the age limit of 70 years was passed by the first legislative convention of UML held in Godavari, Lalitpur. The UML secretariat meeting held in May 2080 removed the age limit of 70 years to be elected or nominated as the party's executive leadership. 

Deputy Secretary General Pradeep Gyawali said that it is not relevant to promote former President Bhandari as the future leader. It is heard that some friends are already discussing this (promoting Bhandari as a leader). This discussion is irrelevant," he said. "The date of the convention has not been fixed. A political analyst says that the leader who will challenge Oli in the upcoming 11th convention of the

party is Bhandari. Professor of Political Science Krishna Pokharel said that there is only Bhandari in UML who can face Oli face to face. “One, he has the legacy of Madan Bhandari. Secondly, great national/international contacts have developed during his presidency," he says. "Bhandari's age has also helped him. In UML, there is animosity because of Oli, Bhandari is a character who challenges it.' 

Bhandari's tenure as President

 -First : 12 November 2072 to 29 February 2074

 -Second : 30 February 2074 to 29 February 2079

Political activism after retirement

  - 24 June 2082 : Chief guest at a school in Jhapa under the banner of UML

 - 23 June 2082 : National gathering of Deputy Mayors/Vice Presidents Chief guest in Biratnagar

 -10-19 May 2082 : 10-day visit to China as senior UML leader

 -14 Chait 2081 : Religious visit to Lumbini, meeting UML leaders and workers

 -5 February 2081 : Visit to Thailand as UML leader