Dahal 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 (M) emerged as the strongest party. The Constituent Assembly of Nepal elected Dahal as Prime Minister in August 2008.[1] 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.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".Prachanda was born in Dhikur Pokhari, a village in Kaski District,[4] some 243 kilometres (151 mi) west of Nepal's capital Kathmandu.[5][6][7] Prachanda spent much of his childhood and youth in Chitwan District. He received a diploma of science in agriculture (ISc-Ag) from Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) in Rampur, Chitwan, and was once employed at a rural development project sponsored by USAID: the project site was Jajarkot.[8] Prachanda's brother, Dr. Ganga Ram Dahal, graduated from the University of Reading, UK and is currently a Research Scientist at 'Rights to Resources International' based in Bangkok.Witnessing severe poverty among Nepalis since his youth, Prachanda was drawn to leftist political parties. He joined the underground Communist Party of Nepal (Fourth Convention) in 1981.[9] He became general secretary (party leader) of the Communist Party of Nepal (Mashal) in 1989. After several iterations, this party became the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). Prachanda lived in secret, even after the restoration of democracy in 1990. A little-known figure until then, he controlled the clandestine wing of the party, while Baburam Bhattarai represented the United People's Front in parliament. A biography written by Anirban Roy, the ex-Nepal correspondent of the Hindustan Times, covers Prachanda's 25 years living underground[10] and has been translated into Nepali as Prachanda: Ek Agyat Bidhrohi. Anirban Roy's book is also getting translated into Hindi and Assamese. Since 1996 Prachanda has been internationally known as the leader of the CPN (M), presiding over its military and political wings.
In late 2004 or early 2005, relations between Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai soured.[13] This was reportedly due to disagreement on power sharing inside the party. Bhattarai was unhappy with the consolidation of power under Prachanda. At one point, Prachanda expelled Bhattarai from the party, though he was later reinstated.[14] They later reconciled at least some of their differences.After the king's direct action over the government on 1 February 2005, the CPN (Maoist) met in serious discussions over the future policy of the party. Until then, Comrade Prachanda, Comrade Kiran and others were convinced that they would be able to rise to power just by having a dialogue with the king's government. Senior leader Bhattarai had rejected this idea of the party, ever since it came under discussion in the party. He insisted joining with other 'mainstream' parties. He proposed working with other parties to abolish the monarchy, and stressed that it was high time to work with other parties to establish a republic. He stated that the party should move ahead with a strategy of a democratic republic and a multiparty system for a time being, as the other parties would not accept a people's republic immediately. The majority of the other senior leaders had rejected his opinion from the beginning, including chairman Prachanda, and had made a decision to work together with the king.Bhattarai and his supporters were punished and suspended for putting a view contrary to the party decision. But after the King's proclamation on 1 February 2005, the party realised that the policy they were pursuing was wrong. Immediately Bhattarai was released from his punishment and, in a meeting held at Chunbang (a village in Rolpa), the party discussed Bhattarai's ideas. After which, the party came forward with a strategy of a democratic republic rather than a people's republic.
In late 2004 or early 2005, relations between Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai soured.[13] This was reportedly due to disagreement on power sharing inside the party. Bhattarai was unhappy with the consolidation of power under Prachanda. At one point, Prachanda expelled Bhattarai from the party, though he was later reinstated.[14] They later reconciled at least some of their differences.After the king's direct action over the government on 1 February 2005, the CPN (Maoist) met in serious discussions over the future policy of the party. Until then, Comrade Prachanda, Comrade Kiran and others were convinced that they would be able to rise to power just by having a dialogue with the king's government. Senior leader Bhattarai had rejected this idea of the party, ever since it came under discussion in the party. He insisted joining with other 'mainstream' parties. He proposed working with other parties to abolish the monarchy, and stressed that it was high time to work with other parties to establish a republic. He stated that the party should move ahead with a strategy of a democratic republic and a multiparty system for a time being, as the other parties would not accept a people's republic immediately. The majority of the other senior leaders had rejected his opinion from the beginning, including chairman Prachanda, and had made a decision to work together with the king.Bhattarai and his supporters were punished and suspended for putting a view contrary to the party decision. But after the King's proclamation on 1 February 2005, the party realised that the policy they were pursuing was wrong. Immediately Bhattarai was released from his punishment and, in a meeting held at Chunbang (a village in Rolpa), the party discussed Bhattarai's ideas. After which, the party came forward with a strategy of a democratic republic rather than a people's republic.
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