Kathmandu, June 29 -- It was no secret-and it now comes from the horse's mouth.

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari announced on Saturday her political ambitions, saying that she had returned to her former party CPN-UML. The former head of state's plunge back into politics suggests she aims to lead the party-and possibly the country as its chief executive.

As discussions intensify within the ruling UML over a two-year term limit and the 70-year age cap for leadership positions, former Bhandari, 64, announced her return to active politics amid a programme commemorating her late husband, Madan Bhandari.

Bidya Devi Bhandari has been touring various parts of the country for some time, gathering information and assessing the possibility of...