Kathmandu, July 11 -- The leadership row in the CPN-UML is deepening and the "politics of negation" has intensified after former President Bidya Devi Bhandari announced her return to the party.

Her comeback is seen as a serious challenge to KP Sharma Oli, who, despite some reservations from senior party leaders, has made public his plan to contest for party chairperson for a third consecutive term.

The Oli faction keeps downplaying Bhandari's return to party politics, possibly as a successor to Oli. However, leaders close to Bhandari say the UML needs new leadership to overhaul the party. Oli faces allegations of weakening the party, which Bhandari can potentially strengthen.

Leaders outside the UML have also expressed concerns over he...