Kathmandu: Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba is back home after nearly five months of medical treatment abroad and he’s already put out a public message. His point is simple, he didn’t come back chasing a post or more power. He came back for national unity, for strengthening democracy and for listening to what young people are feeling right now.

He didn’t hold back on the current government either. He says it has failed to meet what people expected of it and that instead of respecting the mandate voters gave it, it has stayed stuck in political bias and grudges. He issued a warning that the foundational principle of democracy cannot be altered, asserting that ultimate authority resides with the public.

He also talked about the country’s youth and not in a vague, feel good way. He said Congress has seen up close how badly young people want change and the quiet frustration many of them carry.

His answer isn’t to brush that aside but to change the party alongside the times, making room for what younger members bring while still respecting the sacrifices of those who came before.

Deuba brought up history too, pointing back to 1990, when BP Koirala returned to Nepal pushing national reconciliation. He says the country needs that same spirit of everyone at the table, working toward unity, today.

There’s low morale among party workers right now and Deuba admitted as much. He said lifting that morale is something he plans to work on directly because he doesn’t think Congress’s job is finished and the party needs to pull together to get stronger.

On the constitution, his position is firm: any protection or amendment has to come through national consensus, not one sided moves. And he repeated that Congress won’t bend on democracy, the constitution or citizens’ rights.

He closed by saying he isn’t after any personal gain from this. He wants to spend whatever time he has left serving the nation, its sovereignty and its democracy, not as a leader chasing a title, he said, but as a lifelong citizen of the country, coming back humbly and ready to serve.