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Sher Bahadur Deuba

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Sher Bahadur Deuba is a prominent politician from Nepal. He has served as the 32nd prime minister of Nepal for five separate terms. A prime minister is the head of a country's government. Deuba has also led the Nepali Congress party since 2016. His long career has been marked by many political shifts and changes in the nation. He has represented the parliamentary constituency of Dadeldhura 1 for many years.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on August 24, 2017 (3)
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on August 24, 2017 (3)

Deuba was born on June 13, 1946, in Ashigram. This village is located in the Ganyapdhura Rural Municipality of Dadeldhura. He completed his primary education at Ashigram Primary School. For his secondary education, he attended Mahendra High School in Doti. Later, he moved to Kathmandu to attend Tri-Chandra College. In 1988, he received a scholarship through the Socialist International. This allowed him to study political science at the London School of Economics. While in London, he worked as a part-time translator for the BBC World Service.

His political journey began with student activism in 1963. He joined the Far Western Zonal Student Union while studying in Kathmandu. In 1970, he became a founding member of the Nepal Student Union. He served as the president of that union for eight years. During the 1970s and 1980s, Deuba spent nine years in prison. He was arrested for his participation in activities that supported democracy. After the 1990 revolution, he returned to active politics. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1991. He then served as the Minister of Home Affairs under Girija Prasad Koirala.

Deuba first became prime minister in 1995. This happened after Man Mohan Adhikari tried to dissolve the parliament. During this first term, his administration signed the Mahakali treaty with India. He also introduced value-added taxes and economic liberalization. His cabinet was noted for having 52 members during his eighteen-month tenure. This large number of members led to criticism from his party leader. He resigned in March 1997 after losing support in a no-confidence motion.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba in New Delhi on September 9, 2004
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba in New Delhi on September 9, 2004

His second term as prime minister began in July 2001. This was a difficult time due to the rise of the Maoists. Deuba's government attempted to negotiate with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). He introduced Socio-Economic Reform Programs to address land and women's rights. However, negotiations failed and the Maoists resumed their attacks. Deuba declared a state of emergency in February 2002. King Gyanendra eventually removed him from office in November 2002. This led to a split in the Nepali Congress party. Deuba formed a new group called the Nepali Congress (Democratic).

In June 2004, Deuba was reappointed as prime minister for a third term. This occurred after many months of public protests. His time in this role was interrupted by King Gyanendra in 2005. The King seized executive power and placed Deuba under house arrest. Deuba was also sentenced to two years in jail on corruption charges. However, the Supreme Court later dismissed the commission that sentenced him. He was released and eventually reunited his party with the main Nepali Congress in 2007.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on August 24, 2017 (3)
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on August 24, 2017 (3)

Deuba returned to the prime minister's office for a fourth time in June 2017. This was part of an agreement to form a rotational government. His government successfully managed elections at all three levels of government in 2017. He later served a fifth term starting in July 2021. This appointment followed a Supreme Court order regarding the dissolution of the House of Representatives. President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed him according to Article 76(5) of the Constitution.

PM Deuba and British PM.
PM Deuba and British PM.

Throughout his career, Deuba has faced many challenges. His leadership has been described as controversial due to issues of nepotism and corruption. He and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, were also physically assaulted by protesters during the Gen Z protests. Despite these difficulties, he remained a central figure in Nepalese politics. He held the presidency of the Nepali Congress from 2016 until 2026. His life reflects the complex political history of modern Nepal.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on August 24, 2017 (3)
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on August 24, 2017 (3)
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