Key Reasons Behind Maoist Victory in Nepal

In the 2007 elections, Maoists emerged as victorious. The Maoist leader “Prachanda” won by almost 50% margin from his nearest rival. After victory, the Maoists were so adamant that they did not like to share the posts of PM and president.

The key factor that was responsible for thunderous victory of Maoists was that they were able to mobilise the poor and deprived dalits, tribals and women of Nepal. They focussed on core issues such as demand for inclusion of deprived, federalism, secularism and economic reforms. They demanded abolition of untouchability, which is a big issue in Nepal. They successfully transformed themselves from a militant outfit and repositioned themselves as champions of social justice in the poverty-stricken country. They demanded control of health, education, village development and those things which are directly related to an ordinary man. The Maoist student wing took to the streets to demand free education until the age of 15.

Implications of Victory of CPN (Maoist) in Nepal

Today, Nepal is known for the most successful Maoist insurgency around the world. The victory of CPN (Maoist) brought a paradigm change in the fundamental parameters of politics of Nepal. The democratic politics of Nepal initially became more radical but later, Maoists gave up guerrilla war and joined hands with the Seven Party Alliance for a peaceful and democratic political transition. People of Nepal, who wanted a change, laid their hopes on Maoists for fundamental changes and restructuring of the society.

However, the Maoists had little or no experience of administration either as ruling party or as opposition. Further, they were declared terrorists and Royal Nepal Army was deployed to contain them. Many people became victims of People’s Liberation Army atrocities. The real challenge was to manage the People’s Liberation Army that was cultured to wage a violent struggle against government.