Portal:Communism/Selected biography/52
Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Nepali: पुष्पकमल दाहाल; born Chhabilal Dahal on 11 December 1954, simply known as Prachanda (Nepali: प्रचण्ड [prʌt͡sʌɳɖʌ])) is a former guerrilla leader and chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPNM). Prachanda led the CPN (M) as it launched an insurgency on 13 February 1996. In 2008 the ensuing civil war culminated in the overthrow of the Shah dynasty in favour of a communist leadership.
The Constituent Assembly elected Prachanda Prime Minister of Nepal on 16 August 2008. He was sworn in as Prime Minister on 18 August 2008. Prachanda resigned from the post on 4 May 2009 after his attempt to sack the army chief, General Rookmangud Katawal, was opposed by President Ram Baran Yadav. Prachanda remained in office until 23 May 2009, when his successor was elected.