Is Prachanda seeking a successor from his family?

Kathmandu: Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had announced Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’ and Barshaman Pun ‘Ananta’ as his successor in 2067  B.S. in Palungtar.

But, after the dissatisfaction shown by other leaders, on the following day, he said that all youths were his successor.

Prachanda has not spoken about his successor after the incident. He said that he would not repeat the mistake that Mao committed while declaring his successor.

It has been four decades since Prachanda has been leading the party and have been publicly criticized. He, nowadays, says, ‘I can’t see anyone who carries clear policy and ideas. I don’t feel anyone capable of the responsibility.’

The question of Prachanda’s successor has also risen in the Central Committee Meeting. General Secretary duo Barshaman Pun and Janardan Sharma ‘Prabhakar’ has pointed out the need of announcing the successor and move forward. These two are the leaders with strong influence. They have their faction in the party, which is standing in the same position.

Biplav left the party in 2069 B.S. Prachanda has begun the preparations for making Biplav rejoin the CPN (Maoist) as the General Secretary. This has made Barshaman-Janardan furious. Both of them have been demanding that Prachanda must find his successor from the cadres.

Both Barshaman and Janardan were expecting the post of General Secretary in the 8^th National Convention. But, Prachanda appointed Dev Prasad Gurung as the General Secretary. Gurung had parted ways with Prachanda previously. They asked questions to Prachanda in the meeting-What was the reason behind finding the ways from the outside when we were there, we had decided to accept whoever was assigned the role.

Janardan had competed with Prachanda at that time. Janardhan while addressing the program organized by All Nepal National Independent Students Union (Revolutionary) said, ‘I am speaking not as the Deputy General Secretary but as the Head of Organization Department.’

That means Janardan refused the designation of Deputy General Secretary when he failed to become the General Secretary.

Reserved but strategic Barshaman had not shared his dissatisfaction in public. However, he wanted to become Deputy Secretary without facing any opposition. He was lobbying for the post of General Secretary while being on treatment in China.

Barshaman and Janardan felt each other as rivals for not being able to become the General Secretary. But, sensing the arrival of Biplav, both of them are standing as a team. Earlier, a rivalry was sensed between Barshaman and Janardan but an understanding has been established between each other now.

Is Prachanda finding a successor from his family?

Prachanda has not been able to remain far from nepotism and interest groups even since being over-grounded in politics. People have been criticizing it inside and outside the parties. Even the matter was criticized in the central committee meeting. The majority of members have also been criticizing the same subject.

Prachanda has given priorities for maintaining the political management of his family members after the Peace Treaty. Prachanda had already managed son and daughter-in-law, daughter and son-in-law.

‘Is Prachanda seeking his successor from his own family?’ Sometimes this is the subject of discussion between the second and third leaders of Maoist. In recent times, the Maoist family has been discussing the successor. Ganga Dahal, daughter of Prachanda, has been sharing the matter with close ones.

The leaders said that discussions regarding the successor had been going on in family meetings. The close ones even said that even the third-generation leaders were in the option for the successor.

Writer as well as journalist Netra Panthi in his book ‘Left-Right’ writes-‘There is an established understanding in the family of Prachanda that second-generation leaders like Janardan Sharma, Barshaman Pun, and Shakti Basnet must not become the successor. It has been explained that they will show as second-generation leaders were fighting with each other and the succession would be passed to the third generation in appropriate time and context. And there is the strategy of introducing the third generation within the family.’

Prachanda’s daughter Renu Dahal, head of the Bharatpur Metropolitan City, also shared her thoughts regarding the succession. Renu said that such discussions used to be the subject matter for a long time. Renu said in an interview, in 2074 B.S., ‘Successor is not a product of your imagination. You must be able to win the heart of the cadres, leaders, and the public. I might fail if I start wishing to be the successor from now onwards. That responsibility might come while continuing to serve the public. Father (Prachanda) has always asked to serve in the favor of people.’

Prachanda seems to have given special attention to improving the image and relationship of daughters Renu and Ganga. Renu, also a former Member of Parliament, is the current Mayor of the Bharatpur Metropolitan City. Ganga is the personal secretary of Prachanda. That’s why, Prachanda has become the prime prey for criticism.

Prachanda repeatedly visits his constituency Chitwan time and again. He keeps Renu by his side in every stage. Renu organizes every program in Bharatpur after consulting with Prachanda. This is also the reason why people criticize Renu. People say that Renu does not take a single step without consulting with Prachanda.

Prachanda also gives special attention to the reputation of Ganga. It has been also heard that Prachanda used to ask people to come through Ganga even while meeting him. Ganga was part of the high-profile meeting in Prachnda’s India visit. But, other ministers in the meeting were not part of such meetings. This was also highly criticized by people. This reflects his desire to make his daughters appear in the decision-making role.

Can a new equation be formed in Maoists?

The second-generation leaders Barshaman, Janardan, and Shakti are quite aware of Prachanda’s unexpressed desire not to make them their successor. That’s why, they are in a team. Even Shakti has been adding his voice to the Deputy General Secretary duo Barshaman and Janardan’s demands.

Hence, there is a rumor in the Maoist circle that Barshaman-Jandardan agreed upon a mutual understanding. The unification of these two leaders would surely create a sensation in the party. A prediction has started that they might take any kind of step.

Maoist leaders have been saying that the prediction could not be omitted. He informed NepalViews, ‘The party has not been running as per the party legislation for a long time. The party is at a crucial point. There are several faction-sub-faction inside the party. Sometimes, there will be questions that how far the party will function in such a manner. Your facts may not be omitted. But we will try to stop it.’ The leader said that the party must strengthen before collaborating with other parties.’

Political Analyst Puranjan Acharya said that the Maoist won’t break instantly but will become weaker. Acharya analyses, ‘There is a question about the formation of the Maoist party alone. In such a scenario, it is difficult for Maoist to become a national party. There are chances for Prachanda to bring the successor from the third generation. This will end the life of the party.’

Acharya compares Prachanda with Indian leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and said, ‘The matter of making son, daughter, and son-in-law would not form the party. Party, especially the communist party, must have equal opportunities and challenges.’

Nepali version of the story was published on 6th August