Deuba set to return as Nepali Congress looks to former president for political direction

KATHMANDU: Former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba is returning to Kathmandu on Thursday after spending several months abroad.

Deuba left Nepal on February 26 and travelled to Singapore before moving to Hong Kong in March, where he has been staying with his family.

According to Nepali Congress leader Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Deuba will return to Nepal alone on Thursday.

Mahat said the party currently needs the former prime minister and expressed hope that Deuba’s return would help improve the party’s political situation.

The Nepali Congress’ non-establishment faction is organising a national gathering from August 14 to 16. Deuba is returning from abroad to address the gathering.

However, Deuba’s wife and former foreign minister Arzu Rana Deuba and their son Jaiveer are not expected to return to Nepal with him.

Although there had been reports that Deuba would return with his family, he is currently scheduled to arrive alone.

The Deuba couple were severely beaten by protesters during the protests on September 8 and 9 last year. Deuba subsequently left the country and remained abroad.

“For now, we need only Sher Bahadur. Arzu can return gradually,” Mahat said. “We expect him to return and help improve Nepali Congress politics.”

Asked whether Deuba’s return meant he was preparing to become active in politics again, Mahat said the situation would become clear after Deuba addresses the gathering on August 14.