Prachanda slams social media stunts, urges party to focus on groundwork

KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister and CPN leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has warned that social media propaganda often paints a misleading picture of political reality.

Speaking at a party event at the central office in Parisdanda, he said that the public has become aware of recent “stunts and hype” and is no longer easily swayed by online chatter.

Addressing party leaders and workers, Prachanda instructed them to counter false narratives with reasoned arguments and focus fully on the upcoming elections.

He described politics driven by social media as “stunt politics” and emphasized that it holds little sway on the ground. “In areas where certain forces once enjoyed strong support, their influence has now waned,” he noted.

While spreading misinformation may be easy in new regions, Prachanda said, the public has already assessed the performance and capabilities of experienced leaders, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley and other key areas. He stressed that only in places where people have yet to form opinions does propaganda have any effect, urging party workers to dismantle such illusions with logic.

Highlighting elections as the only pragmatic and scientific way to resolve political crises, Prachanda described the nation’s current consensus on this approach as a victory for the party’s ideology. “Even though some forces suggested postponing elections or restoring parliament, the country has ultimately focused on the electoral process. What we advocated is now the reality across the nation,” he said.

With just 24–25 days left until the elections, Prachanda called on all leaders and workers to work tirelessly to secure a favorable outcome.

He urged the party to mobilize with the determination to become the country’s leading political force and reaffirmed its commitment to seizing challenging opportunities to safeguard the nation and facilitate politics.