Kathmandu [Nepal], July 21 – Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday announced that he is returning to Nepal after spending the past few months abroad for health treatment while accusing the government of using state institutions to target the opposition.
In a statement issued on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nepali Congress leader BP Koirala, Deuba said he had been closely following Nepal’s political developments despite staying abroad and expressed concern over what he described as intolerance towards dissent and the misuse of state power.
“The tendency to suppress the opposition by creating physical and psychological terror cannot be acceptable to any democratic society,” Deuba said in the statement.
Deuba alleged that the government was attempting to pressure independent institutions including the judiciary and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and use them against political opponents.
He said the Nepali Congress had a responsibility not only to act as an opposition party but also to protect democracy, the constitution and national interests.
Referring to the elections held in March, Deuba said the party respected the new mandate given by voters, particularly the younger generation and had intended to play a constructive role in strengthening democracy, good governance and political stability.
Deuba said he was returning to Nepal with a commitment to uphold constitutionalism, democracy and national interest while calling for cooperation among political forces, civil society and the younger generation.
His statement comes after he and his wife, former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba were injured during the Gen Z protests that erupted against the previous government. Deubas later travelled abroad and remained in Singapore and Hong Kong for several months.
