Nepal, July 3 -- The political landscape of Nepal is abuzz following former President Bidya Devi Bhandari's formal return to active politics of the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML). Announcing during the 74th birth anniversary of Madan Bhandari and the 25th anniversary of the Madan Bhandari Foundation (MBF) in Kathmandu on Saturday, she declared, "I have now rejoined the UML family as a member, and I am proud of it. I have no special ambition."

Despite her modest disclaimer, Bhandari's increasing political engagements and recent meetings with party chairman KP Sharma Oli strongly indicate that her return is strategic. Signs suggest she is poised to contest the party's leadership in the near future. Her deci...