Will Sher Bahadur Deuba Return to Nepal Soon?
Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Close leader of former Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prakash Sharan Mahat, says there is no information about when Deuba will return to Nepal.
According to him, the last contact with Deuba was during the recent vote counting process.
However, Bhanu Deuba, who serves in the secretariat along with Deuba, has informed that Deuba is expected to return within one to one and a half weeks, leader Mahat said.
Deuba had gone to Singapore for medical treatment on Falgun 13, exactly one week before the election began.
With the new government pursuing investigations into various cases—in which Deuba may also be implicated—speculation has been rife about whether he will return or not.
“I don’t think that will happen,” Mahat said, “Someone who has served Nepal in various important responsibilities over a long time wouldn’t be someone to run away or evade under pressure.”
There is a history of senior leaders, government heads, or opposition figures from South Asian neighboring countries and around the world who have lost power and fled into exile due to political circumstances and the fear of prosecution.
Deuba Ready to Face Legal Challenges
Like Mahat, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire also says there is no confirmed information about Deuba’s return.
He said he is learning about developments through the media.
Why hasn’t the party shown concern for their own party’s founding elder leader Deuba, who was injured during the Janajati Genocide Movement?
“He is coming back; we are waiting to see how soon that will be,” General Secretary Ghimire said. “The Nepali Congress party and the country Nepal were born through his struggle. We cannot even imagine a scenario where he doesn’t return.”
Informal reports have surfaced connecting Deuba and his family members to cases involving asset irregularities. Sources close to Deuba dismiss these as ‘media trials.’
Govinda Pariyar, who served as press advisor to Deuba during his prime ministership, predicts Deuba will return within days. He said no legal cases will be filed against Deuba and that Deuba is ready to face any legal issues.
“Even if legal troubles come, he won’t run away out of anxiety,” Pariyar said. “Having endured jail and numerous hardships since the Panchayat era, he is prepared to face all challenges. But there is no solid ground for such issues right now.”
Will His Wife and Son Also Return?
Image source, arzuranadeuba.com.np
Deuba’s wife Arju was accompanying him when he left for treatment. Reports say their son and daughter-in-law, who were abroad, have also joined them there.
There have frequently been news reports connecting Deuba, his wife and son to various legal cases.
For this reason, some have expressed doubts about whether all family members will return even if Deuba himself does.
Pariyar says, “From what I understand, the entire family will return.”
Is it likely for a political family to return despite taking risks related to alleged illegal activities?
Pariyar replied, “I can’t be clear about everyone, but Deuba has endured many difficulties from the Panchayat regime to direct royal rule. He is a democratic leader and a mentor to many leaders. For that reason, he is not one to run away; he will return.”
Where is Deuba Now and What is He Doing?
Govinda Pariyar said that Deuba and his family left Singapore a few days ago and went to Hong Kong.
After finishing treatment in Singapore, they went to Hong Kong for further medical care and to participate in family events.
Pariyar said, “Following doctors’ recommendations, he is currently receiving additional treatment in Hong Kong, including a minor surgical procedure; after that, he plans to return to Nepal.”
However, he could not specify the exact date of return.
He added that according to what he knows, it should not take too long.
During the Janajati Genocide Movement, Deuba and his wife were severely beaten and their house was set on fire.
Reports have emerged that demolition of their house had begun but was halted due to a police investigation. Pariyar said he is unaware of those details.
Some media outlets reported that the house had already been sold.
The Deuba secretariat has denied these reports, and journalist Pariyar also stated, “The house has not been sold nor is it on the market.”
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