Bam Dev Gautam

Bam Dev Gautam (Nepali: बाम देव गौतम) is a Nepalese politician and the former Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal. Currently the senior leader of Nepali Communist Party, Gautam is a former Senior vice Chairman of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist). He is currently a member of the National Assembly nominated by the President.

Gautam left Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) on 4 September 2021 and has not joined any party yet. It was reported that he may join CPN (Unified Socialist) or float a new party of his own soon. Later Gautam wrote an election song for CPN (Unified Socialist) after which he was thought to have joined that party. Gautam announced his own party on 28 June 2022, named the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity National Campaign).

Personal life

After completing his SLC, Gautam started teaching as a profession. He is married to Tulsi Thapa who is also a Member of House of Representatives.

Political life

Early political career

Bam dev Gautam joined the Communist party of Nepal in 1964 and participated in full-time party activities from Rupandehi District in 1969. He became District Secretary of CPN Rupandehi in 1972. He played a major role in establishing Mukti Morcha with Madan Bhandari and Jeev Raj Ashrit. He later became Central member of Communist Party of Nepal(Marxist–Leninist) in 1980. After the merger, he was made a Politburo member of CPN(UML) and also attained the position of Deputy General Secretary of the party.

He was elected MP from Bardiya Constituency No. 1 in first General Election 1991 and Mid Term Election 1994. Later he became the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in February 1997.

Split of CPN (UML) and formation of CPN (ML)

Bam Dev Gautam played a major role in splitting the CPN(UML) over the issue of Mahakali treaty with India and later formed CPN(ML) on 5 March 1998. He was elected General Secretary of the party in March of that year.

Merger to CPN (UML)

The party failed to get a single seat in House in next election. Later, Bam Dev Gautam again joined the CPN (UML). On 31 August 2008, Bam Dev Gautam was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in the Maoist-led coalition government.

In federal democratic republican Nepal

In February 2009, Bam Dev Gautam was elected one of the vice-chairman of CPN(UML) in Butwal General Convention. On 2 May 2010 during Maoist protests, Bam Dev Gautam called for the Prime Minister to resign to end the current political stalemate. He was a member of the 2nd Nepalese Constituent Assembly. He won bot the seats he contested Bardia 1 and Pyuthan 1 in CA assembly, 2013 from the CPN (UML).

2017-present

In 2022 he was defeated by Sanjay Gautam of Nepali Congress inspite of left alliance forged between CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre). Presently, Gautam serves as member of National Assembly nominated by President on recommendation of council of ministers.

Electoral history

2017 legislative elections

2013 Constituent Assembly election

2008 Constituent Assembly election

1999 legislative elections

1994 legislative elections

1991 legislative elections

See also

• 2021 split in Nepal Communist Party
• 2021 split in Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist)
• CPN (Unity National Campaign)