Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', the first Prime Minister after the nation was declared a republic, was born on December 11, 1954 in Dhikurpokhari-2, Kaski. Son of Muktiram Dahal and Bhawani Dahal, 'Prachanda' holds a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and Animal Science. Active since the past 42 years in Nepalese politics, 'Prachanda' spent some six years in teaching and also served at the USAID. He is contesting from Kathmandu-10 and Siraha-5 in the CA Election 2013. He began his political career in 1972 from Pushpal Group and formed Marxist Group in 1975 and later joined CPN (Fourth Convention) in 1978. With full-fledged membership of CPN (FC) in 1979, 'Prachanda' was elected as Chitwan District Committee member in 1980. He became Regional Bureau member in 1982 and general secretary of All Nepal Youth Association. In 1984, he became the president of the association, which was followed by some quick successive steps leading him to the party leadership. 1985, he was elected as central member of CPN (Masal)'s 5th General Convention. Shortly afterwards, he became the party's politburo member. After the party split in 1986, 'Prachanda' sided with Mohan Baidya 'Kiran'. While 'Kiran' led the party, the Sector Incident of 1989 forced the party chieftain to resign, making way for 'Prachanda' to lead the party in 1990 as general secretary. He is still the party head since then. He became the general secretary of CPN (Unity Center) in 1992 and general secretary of CPN (Maoist) in 1995. The 2nd General Convention of the CPN (Maoist) elected him as the party chairman in 2001 and has held the position since then to date even after the party was converted to UCPN-Maoist. 'Prachanda' led the armed revolution in 1996 and also became the supreme commander of the People's Liberation Army. Ending his 25-year long underground life, 'Prachanda' became public at Baluwatar on June 16, 2006. Once a wanted man for revolting against the state, 'Prachanda' became the prime minister of Nepal on August 18, 2008 and remained in the office till May 25, 2009. In the CA Election 2008, 'Prachanda' won from Kathmandu-10 and Rolpa-2. In Kathmandu, he received 23,277 votes to defeat NC's Rajendra Kumar KC, who received 12,154. CPN-UML's Sanu Kumar Shrestha came third with 8,568 votes. 'Prachanda' has three daughters and a son. He has also written book on Nepalese society and politics. He still faces cases on his involvement in killings of people during the armed conflict.