KATHMANDU, Aug. 13: Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said he returned to Nepal not as a political leader, but as a lifelong citizen of the country.
After spending more than five months abroad for medical treatment, Deuba issued an appeal upon his return to Kathmandu on Thursday, saying, “I have returned not as a leader, but as a lifelong citizen of this great nation.”
Deuba called for national unity, reconciliation and political transformation, urging all political parties and citizens to move beyond political vengeance and work together in the national interest.
Recalling his political journey, which began in 2020 BS, Deuba said the NC was not merely a political party but a key force in Nepal’s decades-long democratic struggle. He paid tribute to senior leaders including BP Koirala, Subarna Shumsher, Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Girija Prasad Koirala for their sacrifices.
Public outrage as govt tries to institutionalize lifelong benef...
Referring to last September’s Gen-Z movement, Deuba said the NC had taken seriously both the frustrations and the voices of the younger generation.
“The world has changed, and we too must move forward with the times. The demands of young people are legitimate, but it would be wrong to view Nepal’s past democratic struggles and achievements only in a negative light,” he said.
Deuba acknowledged weaknesses within the party and said the NC was ready to work with the younger generation to bring about necessary changes.
He also urged the incumbent government to remain mindful of its responsibilities and refrain from political prejudice and retaliation.
“A government that has received a fresh mandate from the people must fulfill their aspirations. If it fails to do so, the people are the ultimate arbiters in a democracy,” Deuba said.
He said the NC would not blindly join a race for power but would support the management of change based on prudence, transparency and justice.
Deuba also called for greater unity within the party, saying its internal disagreements and frustrations should be transformed into a collective effort. He stressed that the NC should put the broader interests of the people above individual egos.
He said he had no personal political ambitions and was ready to pass his political experience on to the younger generation.
Recalling BP Koirala’s return to Nepal in 2033 BS with a message of national unity and reconciliation, Deuba said the country once again needed broad national unity and cooperation among all political forces. “Let us choose the path of reconciliation, not revenge,” he urged.
