The Political Decline of Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda': A Legacy in Question

In the contemporary political history of Nepal, few leaders have experienced as many sharp fluctuations as Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. He was once a symbol of change—a voice of rebellion, the hope of the oppressed class, and the dream of a new Nepal. He has now become a symbol of a leadership narrative that transitioned from rebel to ruler, and gradually, to one of diminishing influence.

He experienced revolution, war, the peace process, constitution drafting, and governance in his lifetime. Yet, with so many opportunities and experiences, it is natural to ask why Prachanda has shrunk from an influential statesman to an ordinary political worker. The answer lies not in external factors, but primarily in his own decisions, priorities, and political style.

Prachanda's rise was no coincidence. He emerged as a revolutionary leader. By the age of 35, he took charge as the General Secretary of Masal, establishing himself as an ideological and organized leader. At that time, there was widespread dissatisfaction in Nepal regarding political inequality, social discrimination, and the centralized structure of the state.

However, looking at it in its entirety, this rebellion laid the foundation for significant change in Nepal. On this basis, the 062/063 People's Movement succeeded, ending the monarchy and establishing a republic in Nepal.

Based on this situation, he started an armed rebellion on 052 Falgun 1. The strategy of capturing power through the barrel of a gun was no ordinary decision. It was an extremely risky and challenging path. But he took that risk. That war pushed Nepal not just into a cycle of violence, but toward deep political debate and structural change. He questioned the core structure of the state—the monarchical system, centralization, class discrimination, and social exclusion. For this reason, he became more than a common leader; he became a leader of an ideology that gave the country a new direction.

The armed revolution he started had a huge impact on Nepali society. Political consciousness spread in rural areas, the oppressed classes found the courage to raise their voices, and a universal demand arose to change the old structure of the state. However, it also caused significant human loss, which cannot be ignored.

However, looking at it in its entirety, this rebellion laid the foundation for significant change in Nepal. On this basis, the 062/063 People's Movement succeeded, ending the monarchy and establishing a republic in Nepal. At this historical turning point, Prachanda was not just a rebel leader; he had emerged as a statesman. But the irony is that the very ideology that brought him to the heights was gradually weakened by him.

After entering the peace process, he had a historic opportunity to institutionalize the energy of the revolution. But instead of using that opportunity as a tool for transformation, he used it as a shortcut to power. It would not be wrong to say that the seeds of his downward journey were sown here.

After the Maoists became the largest party in the first Constituent Assembly election, he also led the government. But instead of making that opportunity a basis for long-term change, it was limited to the political equations and power games of the time.

A statesman is not just a person who holds power. They are someone who determines the long-term future of the country and institutionalizes change. After the end of the armed rebellion and the Comprehensive Peace Accord, Prachanda had a historic opportunity to reshape Nepal. He had public support, the energy of the revolution, and a clear agenda for change. If he had utilized that time correctly, he could have become a long-term influential statesman of Nepal.

During that period, after the peace agreement, Prachanda had two options: one, to focus on long-term structural change; two, to enjoy the immediate power equation. Prachanda chose the second option. But this is where his weaknesses began to show. After entering the peace process, he changed his priorities. Rather than institutionalizing the energy of the revolution, he became focused on acquiring and managing power.

After the Maoists became the largest party in the first Constituent Assembly election, he also led the government. But instead of making that opportunity a basis for long-term change, it was limited to the political equations and power games of the time. Consequently, the constitution-making process was delayed, the Maoist agenda weakened, and frustration among the people grew.

During this period, the Maoists lost many of their agendas. They could not stand clearly and firmly on important issues like federalism, inclusivity, and social justice. As they compromised with other parties, their originality faded. As a result, the then-Maoist party gradually weakened in parliamentary politics and became limited to the game of making or breaking governments. Prachanda could never keep his goals stable during this period. Sometimes revolutionary, sometimes reformist, sometimes pragmatic, and sometimes opportunistic—his political character kept changing. This made him not flexible, but unreliable.

Even after the constitution was issued, the situation did not seem to change much. Instead, he became even more power-centric.

Prachanda himself changed in this process. From a revolutionary and visionary leader of one time, he gradually began to be seen only as a 'policy maker'. This change was not just due to circumstances; it was the result of his own decisions and priorities. He could not redefine his role according to the times. Failing to successfully manage the transition from a rebel leader to a statesman became his biggest weakness.

Even after the constitution was issued, the situation did not seem to change much. Instead, he became even more power-centric. By forming alliances sometimes with the Congress led by Sher Bahadur Deuba and sometimes with the UML led by KP Oli, he remained in power. This made him a 'kingmaker', but it could not make him a statesman with a long-term vision. Frequent government changes, unstable alliances, and a lack of clear policy kept reducing his credibility.

After coming into the peace process, the Maoists participated in almost every government. But being in government is not just about enjoying power; it is also an opportunity to implement change. Unfortunately, Prachanda could not fully utilize this opportunity. Many issues raised during the People's War could not be implemented. Issues like land reform, economic equality, and social justice remained limited to paper.

Along with this, the relationship with the people also weakened. The leadership that reached every village during the rebellion became capital-centric after reaching power. No significant progress could be made on basic issues like employment, education, health, and economic equality. The gap between public expectations and actual achievements widened. This led to a decline in public trust. The hope and faith once held in Prachanda gradually turned into disappointment. This increased not only frustration but also anger among the people.

On the other hand, his leadership style within the party also became a subject of criticism. Democratic practice within the party weakened. He could not or did not want to encourage ideological debate within the party. Decisions became centralized, and he could not provide opportunities to the new generation. Even when voices for change were raised within the party, he could not take them positively. Instead of giving opportunities to the new generation, he remained limited to his old circle. As a result, energy within the party decreased, and public support outside declined.

Ultimately, the election results on Falgun 21 also confirm that even though the national agenda was Prachanda's, he appeared to go into the election without an agenda. If he had changed his political journey according to the times, Prachanda had the opportunity to remain in the role of a national guardian. But he has now lost that opportunity as well.

For this, Prachanda first needs to self-reflect. He will have to honestly evaluate his past decisions and account for his mistakes.

Despite so many failures, Prachanda is still active in politics. The conclusion of the long political ups and downs is that Prachanda's political downward journey is not just the result of external conspiracies or circumstances. It is the result of his own decisions. This shows that he still has one opportunity. But that opportunity may not last forever. If Prachanda does not self-reflect even now, he is certain to become like a star millions of light-years away in the galaxy of history.

For this, Prachanda first needs to self-reflect. He will have to honestly evaluate his past decisions and account for his mistakes. Without self-reflection, improvement is not possible. Similarly, he must redefine his political priorities. Acquiring power should not be the only goal; long-term change should be the main goal. There is a need to revive the issues raised during the armed rebellion and take them to implementation.

For that, there is a need to strengthen democratic practice within the party, bring the new generation into leadership, respect their ideas, and develop inclusive leadership. This can give new energy to the party he is currently leading.

Also, the relationship with the people lost in the past must be strengthened again. He must understand the problems, expectations, and feelings of the people and work accordingly. It is not just about going to the people during elections; continuous dialogue is necessary. Only if he can make clear plans in areas like economic development, education, health, and employment and translate the commitment to implement them into practice can his leadership become influential again.

Prachanda had the chance to change history but remained a creator of an incomplete history. No one else can be blamed for his stature shrinking today. This is the overall result of his own decisions. If he can change his direction now, he can complete the incompletely written history.

Whether to complete the incompletely written history or to fade into the pages of history with current achievements, that is in Prachanda's own hands.