KATHMANDU, Oct 14: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the violent attack against him and his spouse during the nationwide unrest on September 9 was carried out with the intention of taking his and his family’s lives. 

Addressing the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting at the NC headquarters in Sanepa on Tuesday, President Deuba described the attack as not only a personal tragedy but also an assault on the country’s democratic system and the party itself.

Deuba, who made his first public appearance since the attack, said, “When the entire country was burning, my family and I were also attacked with the intention of taking our lives. They vandalized, looted and set fire to our houses. We were rescued after hours of tireless efforts by the security personnel.”

The former prime minister said that as if the physical attack were not enough, a planned campaign of false propaganda was later spread to tarnish his and his family’s reputation. “You are aware of the tragic attack that my family and I had to face,” he said. “As if that were not enough, false propaganda was spread in a deliberate attempt to damage our image.”

Deuba expressed deep gratitude to the security personnel and supporters who helped rescue his family during the chaos. “It is because of your love, prayers and wishes that I have been able to come to this meeting after treatment,” he said.

Reflecting on his decades in politics, Deuba remarked that such moments test one’s courage and conviction. “When you stand for the nation, people and the system, such situations can arise at any time — we must have the courage to face them,” he added.

He further said that while the incident was generally seen as an attack on him personally, he views it as a broader assault on the political party, the democratic system, and the nation itself.

“Overall, I believe that it is an attack on the country, the system and the party,” Deuba emphasized.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s CWC meeting also saw a major organizational development, with Deuba announcing that Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka has been entrusted with the responsibility of acting president of the NC as per the party statute. Joint General Secretary Mahalaxmi Upadhyay Dina informed that the decision was formally announced during the meeting.

After Deuba’s address, the CWC meeting was postponed until 1 PM on Thursday. The meeting was attended by office bearers, central committee members, invited representatives, and presidents of all seven provincial committees.