KATHMANDU: Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has dismissed claims that Nepal’s republican system is solely the result of the Maoists’ or his individual efforts.

Addressing the third national convention of YCL Nepal in Kathmandu on Sunday, he accused royalist elements of deliberately spreading the notion that the republic is a Maoist or Prachanda-only legacy to mislead the public and politically isolate his party.

Prachanda acknowledged that the Maoists played a crucial and decisive role in establishing the republic. However, he emphasized that it is not theirs alone.

“At first glance, it might feel like this republic belongs only to the Maoists. But that’s not true. This republic is the result of the collective struggle of all Nepali people—oppressed castes, classes, regions, genders, and communities,” he said.

He said the claim that Prachanda singlehandedly brought about the republic is being promoted to marginalize his role and to discredit contributions from other democratic forces.

“This isn’t my republic. It belongs to the people. Many political parties, including Congress and UML, joined in supporting republicanism, especially in its final phase,” he stated.

Reiterating his commitment to collective ownership of the system, Prachanda said the attempt to label it as a ‘Maoist republic’ is politically motivated and aimed at creating division.

“History cannot deny the Maoist leadership in this change, but the republic is a shared legacy of all who fought for transformation,” he concluded.