Prachanda’s biography

Prachanda was born in Dhikurpokhari of Kaski district near Pokhara on December 11, 1954.

He was born as the eldest son of father Muktiram Dahal and mother Bhawani. He has received Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from Rampur Agriculture Campus. His name was Chhabi Lal during school time but later changed to Pushpakamal Dahal and later during the decade long insurgency, he was known as Prachanda the fierce.

He served as school teacher for some time and also worked in USAID in Nepal before joining politics. He joined politics by acquiring membership of CPN Pushpalal Group in 1978. He has published a few books including “The Problem of Nepali Revolution.”

Prachanda has remained underground for almost 13 years. He came to open politics through the Peoples Movement of 2006, when the CPN-Maoist pursued peaceful politics ending decade long armed insurgency that killed 17,000 people. He had led the decade long armed struggle from 1996 to 2006, that ultimately ended with signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the Seven political parties including Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. The Maoists together with the seven political parties launched the peaceful movement in 2006 which ultimately became instrumental in restoration of democracy and establishment of federal democratic republic Nepal by abolishing 240 year old monarchy.

Prachanda signed 12 point agreement with seven political partis in Delhi in 2005 that plaved way for collaborating with other political parties for the restoration of democracy in the country ending King Gyanendra’s autocratic rule that was in place since February 1, 2005.

Prachanda became Prime Minister for the first time in August 2008 but he had to quit power after a year in May 2009 when he had difference with then President Rambaran Yadav over the issue of dismissing then Nepal Army chief Rukmangad Katuwal. President Yadav overturned his decision to sake the army chief.

He became t the Prime Minister for the second time in August 2016 and ruled till May 2017.

Prachanda joined the Nepal Communist Party (4th Convention) in 1981 and became general secretary of CPN (Masal) in 1989. The party later became popular as CPN-Maoist that launched armed struggle in 1996.

Sita Dahal is the wife of Prachanda and he is survived by two daughters Renu Dahal and Ganga Dahal. His son Prakash Dahal and daughter Gyanu KC have already passed away.

Prachanda has won election to the HoR during November 20 election from Gorkha – 2 Constituency.