Jhala Nath Khanal

Jhala Nath Khanal (, ; born 20 May 1950) is a Nepalese politician who was the 35th Prime Minister of Nepal from February 2011 to August 2011. He was previously the chairman of the CPN (UML) and Leader of the Constituent Assembly Parliamentary Party of the CPN (UML).

Since 5 November 2025, he has been serving as the senior leader of the Nepali Communist Party, a new party formed through merger of eight different communist parties and splinter groups.

Life Khanal was born in Sakhejung of Ilam District to a hill Brahmin family of the Khanal clan. His wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, was killed on September 9, 2025 during the 2025 Gen Z protests when a mob of protesters sat their house on fire.

Political career Khanal was a member of the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist), and its General Secretary from 1982 to 1986. Later, he became a member of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

Government posts Khanal served for a time as Minister of Information and Communication in the 1997 coalition government under Surya Bahadur Thapa.

Khanal won the seat of the Ilam 1 constituency in the 2008 Constituent Assembly election. He led the CPN (UML) as General Secretary from 2008 to February 2009 and was elected Chairman of the CPN (UML) on February 16, 2009. The extended duration of Constituent Assembly was to expire on 31 August 2011.

The Nepali Congress and the Madhesi parties had asked the Prime Minister to resign immediately after being unsuccessful in completing peace process and drafting a new constitution. Even the party leaders increased pressure on Mr. Khanal in order to prevent the party from notoriety.

Electoral history

2022 legislative election

2017 legislative elections

2013 Constituent Assembly election

2011 Parliamentary Prime Minister election

2008 Constituent Assembly election

1999 legislative elections

1994 legislative elections

1991 legislative elections