Ex-Maoists split on political path, keep door open for common front | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: As Telangana’s former Maoists seek a role in mainstream politics, emerging ideological and organisational differences have led them down separate paths. While former Maoist leader Lanka Papi Reddy has launched the Jana Telangana Party with an eye on electoral politics, other prominent former rebels have chosen to build a broader social and political front outside the party framework.The divergence has exposed differing strategies among leaders who once shared a common movement. Though they disagree on the organisational platform, the groups have left open the possibility of working together on issues of common concern through a minimum common programme.

In a statement issued on Sept 26, Tippiri Tirupati alias Devji, Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram and Pulluri Prasad Rao alias Chandranna clarified that they were not associated with the Jana Telangana Party.The three leaders said the participation of some former Maoists in the new party had led to questions about their own role. “We have no connection with this party,” they said, adding that Papi Reddy himself had clarified the position.Instead, the trio proposed building an organisation and united front bringing together Left and Marxist-Leninist parties, democratic organisations and individuals, as well as Dalit, Adivasi, Bahujan and religious minority groups.According to them, the proposed platform would work against what they described as exploitation and oppression by imperialist, capitalist and landlord classes, besides fascist forces. They said the organisation would function legally and openly while taking up public issues and people’s concerns.Appealing to Telangana’s revolutionary camp to rally behind their proposed platform rather than join other political parties, the leaders nevertheless indicated a willingness to cooperate with any organisation, including Jana Telangana, on a minimum common programme.Devji, who surrendered in Hyderabad a few months ago, had earlier said he was entering public life to safeguard people’s rights. He has since enrolled for an LLB course after clearing Lawcet.Electoral debutPapi Reddy, a former central committee member who surrendered more than two decades ago, formally unveiled the Jana Telangana Party initiative and released its draft programme on Sept 19.He argued that many of the aspirations that fuelled the Telangana statehood movement remain unfulfilled even 12 years after statehood and called for a fresh political alternative.The initiative has drawn support from a section of former Maoists, including Gurijala Ravinder Rao, Ajay and Malla Reddy, besides families connected to those who lost their lives in the revolutionary movement.The group has already conducted meetings in the erstwhile Adilabad district and is preparing for an organisational expansion drive. Plans include village-level outreach, registration with the Election Commission, and participation in elections alongside progressive activists.According to Telangana SIB sources, the upcoming graduate MLC elections are being considered the party’s first electoral test. Another round of consultations is expected to be held in Mancherial shortly.