Pushpa Kamal Dahal

{{politics}}'''Pushpa Kamal Dahal''', known by his super edgy nom de guerre "Prachanda" (which translates to '''Fierce'''<ref>{{cite web | title=The Fierce One | website=The Caravan Magazine | url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/fierce-one | access-date=}}</ref> or "The Intense One," because apparently regular names weren’t dramatic enough), is a [[Nepalese]] [[politician]], former guerrilla chief, and three-time [[Prime Minister]] of [[Nepal]]. <ref>{{cite web | title=Nepal’s ‘fierce’ ex-guerrilla chief becomes new prime minister | website=CNN | date=December 25, 2022 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/25/asia/nepal-pushpa-kamal-dahal-pm-intl-hnk/index.html | access-date=}}</ref> He’s best known for leading the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) during the country’s decade-long [[Nepalese Civil War]], which lasted from 1996 to 2006. The war, which aimed to overthrow the [[monarchy]] and establish a "people’s republic," left over 17,000 people dead, thousands missing and countless others displaced. <ref>{{cite web | title=Nepal’s Wartime Guerrilla Leader Named New Prime Minister | website=Deutsche Welle (DW) | url=https://www.dw.com/en/nepals-wartime-guerrilla-leader-named-new-prime-minister/a-64210497 | access-date=}}</ref>

==Insurgency==
Prachanda’s [[Maoist]] insurgency was characterized by guerrilla tactics, including ambushes, bombings, and the occasional extortion of local businesses—because nothing says "people’s revolution" like shaking down small shop owners. The conflict ended in 2006 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which paved the way for [[Prachanda]] to transition from warlord to [[politician]] because nothing screams legitimacy like swapping a rifle for a suit and tie. <ref>{{cite web | title=Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: Examining Socio-Economic Grievances and Political Implications | website=Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) | date=January 2002 | url=https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/sa/sa_jan02pas01.html | access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Nepal’s Ex-PM Prachanda Slapped in Public | website=NDTV World News | url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nepals-ex-pm-prachanda-slapped-in-public-504780 | access-date=}}</ref>

==Prachandapath==
"Prachandapath," or "The Path of Prachanda," is the official [[ideology]] of "Prachanda" and his faction of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). It’s essentially a made-to-order political [[philosophy]] that combines Marxist-Leninist-Maoist thought with a dash of Nepalese nationalism and a whole lot of his personal branding. This ideology emerged in the early 2000s as Prachanda sought to distinguish his brand of Maoism from the more [[orthodox]] strains followed by other [[communist]] groups.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Prachanda Path | website=Live Mint | url=https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/hdXqeUSqy6NPtq7YjWBGUI/The-Prachanda-path.html | access-date=}}</ref> It is often described as a "creative application" of [[Maoism]] to the specific conditions of [[Nepal]], which is a fancy way of saying, "We took Mao’s ideas, tweaked them a bit, and added some local flavor." It emphasizes the importance of armed struggle (because nothing says "progress" like a decade-long [[civil war|Nepalese Civil War]]), mass mobilization, and the establishment of a "people’s republic." It also includes a heavy dose of anti-feudalism and anti-imperialism.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Prachanda Path | website=The Wall Street Journal | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121985913495976891 | access-date=}}</ref>

Critics of Prachandapath argue that it’s less of a coherent ideology and more of a PR move to consolidate his power within the Maoist movement. After all, when you’re leading a guerrilla [[insurgency]], it helps to have your own "path" to rally the troops around. Additionally, it’s a great way to sideline rival factions and position yourself as the one true leader of the [[revolution]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Off the Prachanda Path: Nepali Communists’ Crisis of Legitimacy | website=The China Story | url=https://www.thechinastory.org/yearbooks/yearbook-2020-crisis/forum-of-mao-and-money/off-the-prachanda-path-nepali-communists-crisis-of-legitimacy/ | access-date=}}</ref>

In practice, Prachandapath has been about as effective as you’d expect from an ideology named after a guy who once thought "Prachanda" was a cool nickname. While it played a significant role in mobilizing support during the [[civil war]], its relevance in post-war [[Nepal]] has been questionable. Once the [[Maoists]] joined mainstream [[politics]], the lofty ideals of Prachandapath quickly collided with the messy realities of governance, coalition-building<ref>{{cite web | title=Power Struggles and Scandals in Nepal’s Political Sphere | website=East Asia Forum | date=February 2, 2024 | url=https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/02/02/power-struggles-and-scandals-in-nepals-political-sphere/ | access-date=}}</ref> and actually running a [[country]]. The result? A lot of compromises, a lot of broken promises, and a lot of disillusioned former supporters.<ref>{{cite web | title=Bandarmudhe Victims Tired of False Promises | website=The Kathmandu Post | date=April 14, 2018 | url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2018/04/14/bandarmudhe-victims-tired-of-false-promises | access-date=}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Asian politicians]]
[[Category:Military]]
[[Category:Communist political parties]]
[[Category:Communism]]
[[Category:Nepali politicians]]
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Nepal]]

Categories: Living people, Asian politicians, Military, Communist political parties, Communism, Nepali politicians, Prime Ministers of Nepal