Prachanda: Current govt formed by brokers, not parties

KATHMANDU: CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has leveled serious allegations against the current coalition government, claiming it was not formed by the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, but by “dealmakers and brokers” operating behind the scenes.

Addressing a mass meeting on Saturday evening at Bhorletar in Lamjung as part of a campaign focused on the Mid-Hill Highway, Prachanda accused powerful intermediaries of orchestrating the current government through manipulation, coercion, and backroom dealings.

“This isn’t a Congress-UML government. This is a government formed by brokers and middlemen—by buying and threatening leaders,” he said.

He further alleged that political leaders were summoned to luxurious hotels and private residences in the dead of night where the blueprint of the current alliance was drafted—fearing that a failure of Congress and UML to unite would hand power to the Maoists and jeopardize the brokers’ influence.

“These brokers manipulated leaders like puppets, saying, ‘If you don’t unite, the Maoists will take over the country, and our future will be ruined.’ They gave some money, used some threats, and thus this unconstitutional, undemocratic government was formed,” Prachanda stated.

Although he refrained from naming the alleged brokers, Prachanda claimed that these individuals, who amassed billions overnight through commissions and corrupt dealings, have now become dangerously influential.

He accused them of contributing nothing to the development of industries or job creation in the country.

Denouncing the deepening corruption, he declared that the Maoist Centre has launched a campaign to root out corrupt elements and establish good governance.

He also expressed regret that his government was toppled by unconstitutional means just as it was beginning to deliver on governance reforms.

Prachanda pledged to take his party’s message directly to the people, sharing what he described as the untold story behind the current power shift and renewing his commitment to fight corruption.

Touching upon internal party dynamics, Prachanda stated that he is working to unify the fragmented Maoist factions and claimed to have received positive signs in that direction.

He also raised concerns about the rising trend of “populism without ideology or history,” warning that such tendencies pose a threat to democracy. He emphasized the need for a new political polarization to counteract shallow populist narratives.

Joining Prachanda on the campaign trail were senior Maoist leaders including Vice-Chairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Agni Prasad Sapkota, and General Secretary Dev Gurung.

Following a visit to the Ishaneswor Mahadev temple in Lamjung on Saturday, Prachanda met the family of Maoist martyr Rammani Bhattarai on Sunday morning.

He is scheduled to address a mass gathering in Sundarbazaar before heading to Gorkha.