Former PM Deuba keeps himself busy in the custody (nepalnews special)

December 2, 2005
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By Pratibedan Baidya

Though he doesn’t hold office and has no more invitation to inaugurate various functions in Kathmandu, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba keeps himself busy as party workers and leaders continue to call him in the wake of upcoming general convention of Nepali Congress (Democratic)- which he heads—early next month.

While this reporter went to see the former premier this morning at the Police Training Academy at Maharajgunj where he has been detained for the last seven months, Deuba was busy meeting his party workers. “If I was not in the jail the preparation would be better but I have asked other party leaders to speed-up preparation works,” Deuba told his party cadres.

The first general convention of the breakaway party is slated for next month (January 5-7, 2006).

He also raised concerns over the unopposed selection of top party leadership.

Reports say the central committee of the NC (D) has already reached into an understanding to re-elect Deuba for the party’s top post unopposed for the next term.

The controversial Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) slapped two years in prison and 90 million rupees each in bail to former Premier Deuba and the then Minsiter for Physical Planning and Works Prakash Man Singh on charge of corruption while awarding contract of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP).

Asian Development Bank (ADB)—coordinator of the donor consortium in the ovr 500 million USD project—said its high-level investigation did not find any irregularities while awarding contract of the MWSP. But the RCCC—that was constituted by King Gyanendra in the aftermath of his royal takeover early this year—refused to take into account the findings of the ADB.

Both Deuba and Singh accuse the RCCC of pursuing political vendetta against them and have challenged the constitutionality of the Commission at the Supreme Court. Upon the conclusion of hearings on two seaprate writ petitions that challenged the constitutionality of the RCCC, the apex court has said it will deliver its verdict on January 5, 2006.

People are allowded to meet Deuba from 10:00 to 12:30 in the morning and from 14:30 to 16:00 in the afternoon, but journalists are not permitted to interact with Deuba.

This reporter had to pretend that he was a “party cadre and want to see the leader.”

Some senior leaders of the party were coming out of the building this morning where Deuba is being kept.

Deuba seemed confident that the controversial Royal RCCC would be dissolved. He said the RCCC did not have any work so it should be dissolved. Among the visitors majority were leaders and cadres of Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC-D). Sometimes diplomats and leaders of opposition parties also rush to Deuba to discuss the political situation of the country.

Born in June 1946 in far-western district of Dadeldhura, Deuba had started his political career at the age of 19. He served nine years in jail for taking part in pro-democracy movement against the direct rule of the king.

But this time his jail life is quiet different as it is his first experience in the custody after serving as a prime Minister three time.

He served as prime minister, from 1995 to 1997, 2001 to 2002, and from June 2, 2004 until February 1 2005.

Despite being in custody, Deuba’s frank and light nature did not seem to have changed.

King Gyanendra sacked Deuba in October 2002, after the latter dissolved parliament and failed to hold general elections.

After two other governments and much political protest, King Gyanendra re-appointed Deuba as new premier in 2004. Nine months later, he was again sacked.

Criticised by his colleagues and oppnents alike for being pro-King, the monarch sacked Deuba for the second time on February 1 this year alleging him of failing to deal effectively with the Maoists and end violence that has plagued the country for the past several years.

Unlike other leaders, who have come out from jail with a memoir, Deuba said he did not like the idea.

Instead of his spacious bungalow at Budhanilkntha, Deuba is spending his term in a one- storey building of Police academy. He kept himself busy meeting the visitors. He was also smoking non-stop even when meeting the party cadres.

A lover of whiskey, Deuba has now started to take red wine, acording to reports.

Deuba termed his detention as “politically motivated” and expressed hope that he will get justice one day.