The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) or UCPN(M), is a Nepalese political party. It was founded in 1994 and is currently led by Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal (more commonly known as Prachanda). Following massive popular demonstrations and a prolonged civil war against the monarchy, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) became the ruling party during the Nepalese Constituent Assembly election, 2008. The CPN(M) led a coalition government until May 4, 2009 when Prachanda resigned over a conflict with the Nepalese President, Ram Baran Yadav, regarding Prachanda's decision to sack the head of the Nepalese Army, Rookmangud Katawal. The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was previously known as the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). It formally unified with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre-Masal) in January 2009, resulting in its full, current name. In the most recent elections, the UCPN(M) emerged as the third largest party in the Constituent Assembly winning 80 out of 575 seats
