Sher Bahadur Deuba

, thus enabling him to be elected as the Prime Minister of Nepal.

He has served as Prime Minister three times, from 1995 to 1997, 2001 to 2002, and June 2 2004 until February 1, 2005.

He was elected as Prime Minister for the second time when he succeeded Girija Prasad Koirala, who resigned in July 2001. A coup d'etat by King Gyanendra removed Deuba in October 2002.

After two other governments, much political protest for his restoration especially in capital Kathmandu, Gyanendra restored Deuba to the position of Prime Minister in 2004.

He was removed on February 1, 2005 by King Gyanendra, who dissolved the government for three years and seized direct power.

He was sentenced to two years in prison in July 2005 under corruption charges, but was subsequently released on February 13, 2006, after the anti-corruption body that sentenced him was outlawed. An official from Deuba's Nepali Congress Democratic Party, Dip Kumar Upadhaya, told the Associated Press that the former premier's release was "a victory for democracy and a humiliating defeat for the royal regime". [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4711120.stm]

Popular leader

Despite some controversies, Deuba remains a very popular leader. This can be exhibited by the fact that he was elected unopposed as the President of Nepali Congress (Democratic) and the fact that 39 Member of Parliament elected from Nepali Congress choose to support the party led by him. He has also been elected as a Member of Parliament three times, representing Dadeldhura District.

Following street protests against the UML government of Man Mohan Adhikari, he was declared the Parliamentary Leader of Nepali Congress in 1994.

In the election held to select the Parliamentary Leader for Nepali Congress following the resignation of Girja Prasad Koirala in 2001, he defeated Sushil Koirala by a huge margin. This victory established him as a powerful leader, especially because his rival was supported by Girija Prasad Koirala, the president of Nepali Congress.

Family life

Deuba comes from ASIGRAM - 3,Dadeldhura, one of the remotest districts in the Far Western Region of Nepal.

He is married to Arju Deuba, and has a son.

Nepali Congress (Democratic)

After dispute between Girija Prasad Koirala, President of Nepali Congress and Sher Bahadur Deuba, then Prime Minister, over continuation of Emergency Situation in Nepal, Nepali Congress underwent vertical split into Nepali Congress led by Koirala and Nepali Congress (Democratic) led by Deuba. Both parties ultimately merged in 2007 with the name of unified party to remain as Nepali Congress.

2008 Constituent Assembly election

In the Constituent Assembly election held on April 10 2008, the Nepali Congress nominated Deuba as its candidate for Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur-4 constituencies under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. [ [http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/content.php?nid=36915 NC names FPTP candidates ] ] He won from both the constituencies.

In the subsequent vote for Prime Minister, held in the Constituent Assembly on August 15 2008, Deuba was nominated by the Nepali Congress, but was defeated by Prachanda of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). Deuba received 113 votes, while Prachanda received 464. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/16/asia/AS-Nepal-Premiership-Election.php "Ex-rebels' chief chosen as Nepal's new PM"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"), August 15, 2008.]

Socialist International

Deuba was elected as the Vice President of Socialist International during its Congress held in Athens, Greece from 30 June 2008 to 2 July 2008.

Quotes

"My main goal will be to restore democracy and I will dedicate myself to this purpose"Fact|date=April 2008

References