Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre):

Historical Background

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) emerged as a revolutionary force in 1994, splitting from the original Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre). It gained global attention by launching a 10-year People's War (1996-2006) against the Nepalese monarchy and state.

Key Milestones

  • 1996: Initiated armed insurgency from Rolpa district
  • 2001: Declared "People's Liberation Army"
  • 2006: Signed Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
  • 2008: Participated in Constituent Assembly elections
  • 2016: Merged with mainstream CPN-UML (later split again)
  • 2021: Current coalition government member

Ideology & Political Position

  • Marxism-Leninism-Maoism with Nepali characteristics
  • Federal democratic republic (post-2006)
  • Secularism and ethnic federalism
  • Pro-China leanings (while maintaining non-aligned stance)

Leadership Structure

Current Leaders: Chairman: Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" (former Prime Minister)
Senior Leaders: Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Dev Gurung

Organizational Hierarchy:

  • Central Committee (85 members)
  • State Committees (7 provinces)
  • District Committees (77 districts)
  • Local Committees (753 local units)

Electoral Performance

Election Vote % Seats Position
2008 CA 29.28% 229/601 Largest party
2013 CA 15.21% 80/601 3rd largest
2017 HoR 13.66% 53/275 3rd largest
2022 HoR 11.15% 32/275 Junior coalition partner

Government Participation

  • 2008-2009: Led government (Prachanda as PM)
  • 2016-2017: Coalition with UML
  • 2022-present: Coalition with Nepali Congress (Prachanda as PM)

Key Policy Positions

Domestic Policies

  • Federal restructuring: Strong provincial governments
  • Land reform: Redistribution to tillers
  • Secularism: No return to Hindu state
  • Social inclusion: Affirmative action for marginalized groups

Foreign Policy

  • Balanced relations: Between India and China
  • Anti-imperialism: Critical of Western intervention
  • Belt & Road: Supports Chinese infrastructure projects

International Relations

  • Fraternal Parties: CPI (Maoist) in India, CPP in Philippines
  • Observer Status: In international Maoist conferences
  • Controversies: US designation as "significant security threat" (removed 2012)

Did You Know?

The Maoists introduced mandatory 40% women candidacy in elections — the highest quota in Nepal.