Born in Belbas, Gorkha District, Nepal
Baburam Bhattarai
बाबुराम भट्टराई
Also known as Laaldhwoj
35th Prime Minister of Nepal (2011–13); Maoist ideologue turned democratic-socialist politician
Currently Chairman, Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party
About
Baburam Bhattarai grew up in a farming family in rural Gorkha. He did very well in school. This took him to India, where he earned a PhD. In India, he also joined student politics against Nepal’s monarchy.
He became the leading thinker of the Maoist movement. He helped shape its ideas. After the 2006 peace deal, he helped the movement become part of normal politics. He left the Maoist party in 2015. Since then, he has led a few smaller parties. He now supports democratic socialism. This means he wants change through fair elections, not through fighting.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1954-06-18
- Birthplace
- Belbas, Gorkha District, Nepal
- Profession
- Politician, Architect, Former guerrilla leader
- Current role
- Chairman, Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Alive
Current roles
Chairman
Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party · since 2025-11-20
Previous roles
Prime Minister of Nepal
Government of Nepal · 2011-08-29–2013-03-14
Minister of Finance
Government of Nepal · 2008-08-22–2009-05-25
Member of the House of Representatives
Federal Parliament of Nepal · 2018-03-04–2022-09-18
Education
Jawaharlal Nehru University
PhD, Regional Development Planning (1986)
Career & life timeline
- 1954-06-18
- 1986
Earned a PhD in regional development planning from Jawaharlal Nehru University
- 1996
Helped launch the Maoist insurgency against Nepal's monarchy
- 2008-08-22
Became Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal
- 2011-08-29
Became Prime Minister of Nepal
- 2013-03-14
Left office as Prime Minister
- 2015
Left the Maoist party to found Naya Shakti Party, Nepal
Achievements
Chief ideologue of the Maoist insurgency that helped end Nepal's monarchy
Oversaw the integration of former Maoist combatants into Nepal's security forces during his premiership
Organizations & affiliations
- Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-02