Arzu in New Delhi amid fluid political situation

KATHMANDU: Arzu Rana Deuba, the Nepali Congress lawmaker and spouse of former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, has reached New Delhi.

According to Deuba’s secretariat, Arzu is in the Indian capital for a follow-up on her health treatment. She has been receiving medical treatment in the Indian capital for some time.

Arzu had previously received treatment in Japan while staying at the Nepal Embassy when her mother Pratibha Rana was serving as Nepal’s ambassador to the country. After Deuba became Prime Minister, she returned to Nepal and has since been receiving treatment in India.

Arzu reached Delhi on Sunday afternoon on board Nepal Airlines, according to Deuba’s secretariat. The visit of Arzu, who has been influential in the Nepali Congress in recent times, cannot be seen as just a routine follow-up on her health. After playing a key role in making the Nepali Congress give a vote of confidence to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Arzu is working hard to bring the NC back to power. New Delhi’s support will be crucial for that.

A lawmaker close to Arzu says that she wants to bring the NC back to power by whatever means. Arzu has increased her relations in India since Deuba became Prime Minister two years ago, and is particularly close to the establishment side in Delhi. Since Deuba does not trust many, he is pursuing a relationship with India’s leading Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through his spouse.

Arzu treats BJP’s foreign affairs chief Dr Bijaya Chauthaiwale like a brother. Last year, she tied a Rakhi to Chauthaiwale by inviting him to the residence of the Prime Minister. Her visits to the Indian capital have increased since then.

Before the general election, Arzu stayed in New Delhi for a long time for health treatment. While she was undergoing treatment, CPN (Maoist Chairman) Pushpa Kamal Dahal had reached India to meet her. The meeting, arranged by Nepali Ambassador to India, Dr Shankar Sharma, had grabbed media attention at that time.

Some NC leaders say that Deuba might have sent Arzu to India for political discussions on their return to power. Although Arzu is in India for treatment, it is certain that there will be political meetings and discussions as she is a powerful lawmaker for the largest party in parliament.

Interestingly, another NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi had also reached New Delhi some days ago.