Sher Bahadur Deuba is a senior Nepali politician and the President of the Nepali Congress (NC). He has served as Prime Minister of Nepal five times—one of the longest-serving leaders in Nepal’s democratic history. Despite his long tenure, he is widely criticized for political instability, corruption, and weak governance.
Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Political Career
- First Term (1995–1997)
- Became PM after Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala stepped down.
- His government collapsed due to internal party conflicts.
- Second Term (2001–2002)
- Appointed PM during Nepal’s Maoist insurgency.
- Declared a state of emergency to suppress the Maoists.
- King Gyanendra dismissed him, accusing him of incompetence.
- Third Term (2004–2005)
- Reappointed PM but was removed again by King Gyanendra.
- Arrested and jailed for months after the royal coup.
- Fourth Term (2017–2018)
- Led Nepal’s government after the new constitution was adopted in 2015.
- Oversaw local, provincial, and federal elections, but his party suffered a huge defeat.
- Fifth Term (2021–2022)
- Became PM after the Supreme Court removed KP Oli from office.
- His government failed to control corruption and inflation, leading to growing dissatisfaction.
Corruption & Controversies
- Nepal’s Most Unstable Leader
- Served as PM five times but failed to bring stability or major reforms.
- Known for frequent party conflicts, weak leadership, and lack of vision.
- Baluwatar Land Scam
- Accused of being involved in a major land-grabbing scandal in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.
- Government land was illegally sold to private individuals under his leadership.
- Weak Handling of Corruption Cases
- During his tenure, corrupt politicians and businessmen were rarely punished.
- Many corruption scandals (medical mafia, tax evasion, procurement fraud) happened under his watch.
- MCC Agreement Controversy
- Approved the $500 million US MCC grant, which many saw as a threat to Nepal’s sovereignty.
- Faced public protests for signing the agreement without proper national debate.
- Mediocre Governance & Nepotism
- Appointed family members and loyalists to key government positions.
- Focused more on political survival than national development.
Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Political Stance
- Pro-India & Western-Aligned – Accused of being too dependent on India and the US.
- Supports Democracy & Federalism, but weak in governance.
- More of a Political Survivor than a Reformer – Stays in power by making deals rather than delivering real change.
Despite his long political career, Deuba is often criticized as a symbol of political failure, corruption, and incompetence in Nepal.
Would you like details on any specific scandal or his role in Nepali Congress politics?
In the 2022 general elections, Sher Bahadur Deuba, the incumbent Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress (NC), contested from the Dadeldhura constituency. He faced Sagar Dhakal, a young independent candidate and engineer known for his reformist ideas and youth advocacy.
Election Outcome:
Deuba secured a decisive victory in Dadeldhura, obtaining 25,534 votes, while Dhakal received 13,042 votes. This result underscored Deuba’s enduring influence in his home constituency and highlighted the challenges independent candidates face against established political figures.
Corruption Allegations Against Sher Bahadur Deuba:
Throughout his extensive political career, Deuba has faced multiple allegations of corruption and misconduct:
- Melamchi Drinking Water Project Scandal (2005):
- Deuba was accused of corruption related to the Melamchi Water Supply Project. A Royal Commission sentenced him to two years in prison. However, the Supreme Court later dissolved the commission, leading to his release. en.wikipedia.org
- Baluwatar Land Grab Case:
- Investigations have implicated several political figures in the illegal transfer of government land in Baluwatar to private individuals. While Deuba’s direct involvement remains a subject of investigation, the scandal has raised concerns about systemic corruption within Nepal’s political landscape.
- Allegations of Nepotism and Favoritism:
- Deuba’s tenure has been marred by accusations of appointing close associates and family members to key positions, leading to criticisms of nepotism and undermining institutional integrity.
Money Laundering Allegations:
While Deuba has faced various corruption allegations, there is limited concrete evidence directly linking him to money laundering activities. However, the pervasive nature of corruption in Nepal has often led to suspicions about the financial dealings of high-ranking officials.
Voting Results in Dadeldhura Constituency (2022):
- Sher Bahadur Deuba (Nepali Congress): 25,534 votes
- Sagar Dhakal (Independent): 13,042 votes
These results reflect Deuba’s stronghold in the region, attributed to his longstanding political presence and the organizational strength of the Nepali Congress. Despite Dhakal’s appeal to younger voters and his advocacy for political reform, he was unable to overcome Deuba’s entrenched support base.
In summary, Sher Bahadur Deuba’s victory over Sagar Dhakal in the 2022 elections underscores the challenges faced by independent candidates in Nepal’s political arena. While Deuba’s career has been tainted by various corruption allegations, he continues to maintain significant political influence, particularly in his home constituency of Dadeldhura.