Vision for a New Nepal: A Maoist PerspectiveA dialogue with Dev Prasad Gurung, Hon. Minister of Local Development & Senior Member of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)

Background: The first-ever Constituent Election in Nepal, held on April 10th 2008, produced stunningly different results than most experts predicted. By awarding 120 out of 240 elected seats to the Maoists, the people of Nepal have expressed strong confidence in the Communist Party‰Ûªs leadership. Without a doubt, there will be a fundamental shift in the creation of a new Nepal. While 335 seats under the Proportional Representation system have yet to be tallied, the Maoists will likely lead the new government. Falling short of the simple majority in the Constituent Assembly, they must work with other political parties to form the future government and rewrite the Constitution. There are many critical issues yet to be addressed: What is the vision for a new Nepal? What type of Federalism will the Maoists help bring about? How will the aspirations of marginalized communities for inclusive democracy become a reality?

The Honorable Mr. Dev Prasad Gurung is Minister for Local Development. A member of Central Committee of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), he won two constituencies during the election for Constituent Assembly held on April 10, 2008. Mr. Gurung was born in 1958 in the Manang District in Nepal. He received a certificate of Civil Engineering, a B.Ed, and a M.A. in political science from Tribhuvan University. In 1978, he joined the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) and participated in student movement against Panchayat system. He was elected as a member of Party Central Committee CPN (Unity Centre) in 1992 and to the politburo in 1995. In 1997, he was arrested in Gorkha and was released from prison in 2000. Two years later, he was elected as Central Committee Secretary of United Revolutionary People’s Council. In 2002, he became a member of party negotiation team with the government. In 2005, he became a member of the 7th Party Congress Central Organizing Committee and Central Secretariat. He is Co-chair of the Nepal Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities.