KATHMANDU: Former Nepali Congress president and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is scheduled to return to Kathmandu today after spending several months overseas.
Deuba left Nepal on February 26 and first traveled to Singapore before moving to Hong Kong in March, where he has been staying with his family.
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said Deuba is expected to return alone on Wednesday. Mahat stated that the party currently requires Deuba’s leadership and expressed optimism that his return could help improve the political environment within the Nepali Congress.
The party’s non-establishment faction is holding a national gathering from August 14 to 16, and Deuba is returning specifically to address the event. His wife, former foreign minister Arzu Rana Deuba, and their son Jaiveer are not expected to accompany him.
Although earlier reports suggested that Deuba would return with his family, he is now scheduled to arrive by himself. Deuba and his wife were reportedly seriously assaulted by protesters during demonstrations on September 8 and 9 last year, after which Deuba left the country and remained abroad.
“At present, we need only Sher Bahadur. Arzu can return later,” Mahat said. “We expect his return to contribute to improving Nepali Congress politics.” When asked whether Deuba’s return signaled a renewed active role in politics, Mahat said the matter would become clearer after Deuba addresses the August 14 gathering.
