Prachanda

On August 18, 2008, Maoist leader Prachanda was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal. A former communist rebel leader, Prachanda led the 1996 armed revolution against the Nepalese monarchy. The revolution led to a civil war and the deaths of approximately 13,000 Nepalese citizens.BBC News: Reclusive past of Nepal's new PM (August 15, 2008)

"For 250 years, our peoples have been exploited under the oppression of feudal lords. The people's war has helped crush the feudal structure in the rural areas."—PrachandaThe Hindu: Exclusive interview with Prachanda, Maoist leader (February 2006)

"Prachanda looks very well-fed. In fact, his healthy diet is bought from the money extorted from poor people like myself. Or else, where does he get the money from?"—Nepalese villagerBBC News: Reclusive past of Nepal's new PM (August 15, 2008)

1. Wikipedia: Prachanda

2. BBC News: Nepal Maoist head sworn in as PM (August 18, 2008)

3. Washington Post: Maoist chief elected as Nepal's new prime minister (August 15, 2008) WARNING: Pop-ups

4. China View: Profile: Prachanda, from commander to prime minister (August 15, 2008)

5. BBC News: Prachanda - hero or villain? (June 20, 2006)

6. The Hindu: Exclusive interview with Prachanda, Maoist leader (February 2006)

7. YouTube Video: Nepal's Maoist leader speaks to Al Jazeera (Time: 2:16)