Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre)

The Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre) was a communist party in Nepal. It emerged from a split within the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist) in 1991. The faction, led by Nirmal Lama, disagreed with the path the CPN (MLM) was taking after the restoration of multi-party democracy in 1990.

The Unity Centre advocated for a people's war to overthrow the existing political system and establish a communist state. It played a significant role in the early stages of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal, acting as the political umbrella organization for the armed struggle. Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), the leader of the armed wing, was initially affiliated with the Unity Centre.

Internal divisions and strategic disagreements eventually led to a split within the Unity Centre. A faction led by Prachanda formed the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), which spearheaded the armed struggle. The remaining faction, still known as the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre), continued to exist as a smaller party.

Over time, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre) underwent several mergers and splits. In 2009, it merged with other communist factions to form the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), later renamed the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre). However, individuals and groups who disagreed with the merger process maintained the name Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre), albeit as a significantly smaller and less influential political entity.

The party's ideology was rooted in Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, advocating for class struggle and the establishment of a socialist society in Nepal. Its political activities primarily focused on mobilizing support among workers and peasants, and participating in electoral politics when possible. The party's influence has significantly diminished since the height of the Maoist insurgency and subsequent political realignments.