Party has most to lose in Tuesday's election after becoming focus of frustration for many Nepalese people
For 10 years they waged a bloody insurgency in a conflict that left 16,000 dead. Now Nepal's Maoists, who joined the political process at the end of the civil war in 2006, are facing a new battle to remain relevant to the voters who feel they have been let down.
As Nepalese people go to the polls on Tuesday to vote for a new constituent assembly, which it is hoped will finalise a new constitution and unpick a political deadlock, it is the Maoists and their leader, the former rebel known as Prachanda, who have the most to lose.
"My father was a village leader and the Maoists convinced him to join them. During a major battle in the civil war, he was shot and killed. He was only 35," said Gitendra Kumar Mohato, who was just 14 at the time. "He was good man and struggled a lot, but he got misled by the Maoists."
It is a sentiment shared by many. In 2008 a Maoist-led government was elected on the promise of bringing peace and development after the 10-year war, but those hopes have been replaced by widespread disillusionment and apathy.
"After so many died, there should have been improvements to make the toll worth it," said Mahota, a driver from Lahan on the country's southern plains, "but this hasn't happened."
This sense of frustration is felt most keenly by some former Maoists who begrudge what is seen as Prachanda's lavish lifestyle and mansion in Kathmandu. One disgruntled former cadre, who famously slapped Prachanda at a public gathering, is running as a candidate against him.
The most significant split has seen Prachanda's former mentor, Mohan Baidya, leave the party and form his own splinter group, which is boycotting the election and has been accused of fomenting much of the pre-election violence which has seen attacks on public transport and political rallies.
Tuesday's election was called after successive coalitions failed to agree a new constitution following the abolition of Nepal's monarchy in 2008. More than 120 parties are contesting 601 seats in a new constituent assembly, which will have the task of completing the constitution.
One of the major sticking points in reaching an agreement will be the issue of federalism, a cause embraced by Prachanda. Some see this simply as a ploy to attract new supporters, now that the Maoists can no longer rely on their former strongholds in the Himalayan foothills for votes.
"In the last few years … Prachanda has run out of agendas, which is why he has latched on to the ethnic federalism agenda," says Kunda Dixit, the editor of the Nepali Times. "The Maoists are no longer popular in the foothills so their strategy is to woo the madeshi and federal votes."
The madesh, or Terai, is Nepal's southern plains, which run the breadth of the country. The region, which has long sought greater autonomy, is home to around half of Nepal's population, which partly explains why Prachanda recently embarked on a campaign across the entire Terai in a blaze of red flags painted with the hammer and sickle.
In front of a crowd of around 1,000 in the small, dusty town of Nijgadh, Prachanda belted out an energetic speech, promising to support plans for a new international airport near the town.
"The economic development we are seeking is not the old bourgeoisie development where the rich get extremely rich and the rest of the population become poorer," he said. "What we're seeking is development that uplifts the whole country."
In her fly-infested restaurant, Tara Gurung, a mother of six, was stuffing samosas within earshot of the speech, but she was not listening.
"Why would you believe them?" she asked. "They come here, ask for votes, we vote, and then they forget the poor. When we need their help, they are nowhere to be seen."
And yet, despite the pervasive apathy, Prachanda's charisma and energy stand out from the other leading parties, which are widely considered out-of-touch and equally to blame for the political stalemate.
"The last time the Maoists were not able to implement a lot of changes because they were hindered by the other parties," said Raj Kumar Jarga as Prachanda sped away to yet another rally. "In our area the Maoists have at least built a bridge and brought us electricity. The other parties have not done anything."
Which may be why voters such as Gitendra Kumar Mohato are willing to give the Maoists one last chance. "I'll continue to support the Maoists," he said, "because even though they did not fulfil their promises, the other parties will just make matters worse."
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