Sher Bahadur Deuba

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Sher Bahadur Deuba (born June 13, 1946) is the ex-Prime Minister and one of the most popular leaders of Nepal. He is also the President of Nepali Congress (Democratic), which is one of the major partner in the current coalition government 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 bloodless coup by King Gyanendra removed Deuba in October 2002.

After two other governments, much political protest, and the inability to find another suitable candidate, Gyanendra restored Deuba to the position of prime minister in 2004.

Deuba took charge of most of the major government departments in the cabinet. In July 2004, a new cabinet was formed in which Deuba gave up the finance, interior and other departments. He remained the minister of foreign affairs and defense in addition to being prime minister.

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 13th, 2006, after the anti-corruption body that sentenced him was outlawed. An official from Mr 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". [1]

[edit] Quotes

"My main goal will be to restore democracy and I will dedicate myself to this purpose"