Kathmandu, Aug. 12 -- The already troubled relation between CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli, who is also the prime minister, and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, also the former vice-chair of the communist party, has shown a sign of further escalation.

The recent party decision to bar Bhandari from rejoining the party has sent ripples through the party rank and file. The UML central committee meeting last month had rejected Bhandari's attempt to rejoin the party even though she said she had already renewed her party membership.

Bhandari, however, kept herself active in politics and continued political campaigns through various forums including the Madan Bhandari Foundation, which was established after the death of her husband, Madan Bh...