Maoist leader Prachanda set to become Nepal PM after signing pact with Madhesis

Nepal Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka “Prachanda” is all set to become the Prime Minister of Nepal for the second time as he filed his nomination. His appointment is hoping to be the best after receiving important backing from the opposing Madhesis by signing a three-point pact.

Who is Prachanda?

• Pushpa Kamal Daha lalso known as Prachanda, is the prime ministerial candidate of Nepal and holds the post of chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre).
• Dahal is also widely known by his nom de guerre “Prachanda”, a name he went by during his guerrilla days. In Nepali and some other Indo-Aryan languages languages, the word Prachanda is an adjective that translates to “fierce”
• He served as Prime Minister of Nepal from 2008 to 2009 following by taking the lead of a guerrilla war against the government.
• Prachanda led the CPN (M) as it launched a communist insurgency on 13 February 1996. In the ensuing civil war, more than 17,000 Nepalese died. Ultimately elections were held in 2008 and the CPN Maoist emerged as the strongest party.
• The Constituent Assembly of Nepal elected Dahal as Prime Minister in August 2008. He resigned as Prime Minister on 4 May 2009 after his attempt to sack the army chief, General Rookmangud Katawal, was opposed by President Ram Baran Yadav.

Maoist Resurrection:-

In May 2006, Maoist chairman Prachanda along with another senior leader Dr.Baburam Bhattarai entered Nepal through Birgunj, after presiding over a Maoist meet in Punjab, India.

• After this, they attended various programs organised by the party in different places. Prachanda refused to make a public appearance before there was a political settlement with the seven-party alliance.
• The Maoists were rigid in their demands that the monarchy was to be abolished, rather than just stripped of its powers. The Maoists looked at every activity of the new government with suspicion. Earlier, they had released a press statement that the king’s plan for reinstating the parliament was a betrayal of the people.
• There was an eight-point understanding between the government and the Maoist rebels. After talks with the Prime Minister, Prachanda speaking to the media said that the peace talks were progressing despite the setbacks of the past.
• The public appearance of the rebel leader created a sensation in Nepal. The Maoist chief claimed that the understanding would give a new political direction to Nepal. Stating that the deal was “an historical one“, Prachanda said that Nepal would soon be transformed into a republic after the Constituent Assembly elections. He was the first prime minister of Nepal after the monarchy was abolished.

Regaining the Power:-

Nepali Congress and CPN Maoist Centre signed a three- point agreement with the Madhesi Front to secure support from the Madhesi parties for their bid to form a new government led by Prachanda.

• Madhesi parties with a combined strength of 42 in the 595-member Parliament have also hinted that they would join the government led by Prachanda. Before filing his nomination paper for the Prime Minister’s election, Maoist chief Prachanda and NC chief Deuba signed the agreement with the Madhesis, which assured the Madhesi communities of addressing their demands through political understanding and amendment to the Constitution.
• It is noted that the Prime Minister post has remained vacant since mid July after CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli tendered his resignation following the Maoist’s withdrawal of support to the coalition government.

Nepal: