Deuba Stays Silent Ahead of Elections

Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has surprised many by staying quiet during the current election and leaving for Singapore just a week before voting in his home district of Dadeldhura.

Before the Gen Z movement on 22 Bhadra, Deuba was seen as the likely future Prime Minister. But the movement on 23–24 Bhadra not only removed then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from power, it also stopped Deuba from becoming Prime Minister for the sixth time.

After the movement, a special party meeting removed Deuba from his position. He has not accepted this meeting and has taken the case to court. During the meeting, party leaders gave election tickets to candidates, leaving Deuba without a ticket. In Dadeldhura, a district he has represented since 2048 BS, young leader Nain Singh Mahara was given the nomination.

Sources say Deuba was unhappy because Mahara got the ticket without consulting him. Despite this, he did not speak out against the party or Mahara. While Mahara campaigned using Deuba’s photos, Deuba quietly flew to Singapore on Wednesday night, surprising many supporters. His office has not shared why he went or when he will return, though reports say he went for a health check-up. Bhim Bahadur Saud, president of Congress in Dadeldhura, said, “Deuba’s health was not good. He went to Singapore for medical reasons. We do not know how long it will take or when he will return.”

Deuba was born in 2003 BS in Ruwakhola, Dadeldhura, and has been active in politics since 2017 BS. He became president of the Nepal Student Union in 2028 BS and Congress party president in 2072 BS. He has won every parliamentary election from Dadeldhura since 2048 BS and has served multiple times as Prime Minister.

Even with his long political experience, Deuba has stayed quiet this election. He has not campaigned for the party or officially supported Mahara. Party leaders say he is staying silent because of legal disputes and concern that speaking out could hurt the party during elections.

Deuba’s absence has left many supporters guessing about his plans. It is not clear if he will return to Dadeldhura to campaign before the elections. Party officials say his health and legal matters are the main reasons for his silence.