In another blow to Maoists, 2 more top leaders surrender

HYDERABAD: In yet another blow to CPI (Maoist), two of its prominent figures - central committee member Pulluri Prasad Rao alias Chandranna and Telangana state committee member Bandi Prakash alias Prabhath - surrendered before DGP B Shivadhar Reddy in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The surrender, carried out without arms or much fanfare, marks the exit of two senior members long seen as key strategists within the Maoist brass. The duo cited deteriorating health, deepening ideological divisions, and sustained pressure from security forces as reasons for dissociating from the armed movement. "This is in response to CM A Revanth Reddy's call to join the mainstream," said Reddy. "Both Chandranna and Prabhath decided to distance themselves from the organisation due to internal rift, chronic ailments and divergence within the Maoist leadership.

Their decision reflects growing disillusionment among senior cadres." As part of state govt's surrender and rehabilitation package, Chandranna, 64, was given a cheque of Rs 25 lakh, while Prakash, 55, received Rs 20 lakh. Chandranna, however, rejected the term 'surrender' and, raising his fist in a 'lal salaam', said the Maoist ideology could never be defeated. He said the party was divided into two factions, and the underground cadres and members were choosing their own paths.

"I want to make it clear this is not a surrender... We are joining the mainstream to fight for people (by being) among people," Chandranna said. He vowed to continue following the Maoist ideology, and pledged his allegiance to Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji, who he claimed was the new general secretary of the Maoist outfit. "My health is deteriorating. The chief minister called us brothers and urged us to rejoin society.

But I will continue the same struggle. The Marxist Leninist Communist ideology is still alive among the people," he reiterated. Asked about his future plans, he said: "Give me 15 days - I will break my silence." The DGP said Chandranna and Bandi Prakash said had not surrendered with arms. "The duo stated that their weapons were handed over to the party before leaving," he added. Officials said the surrender of Chandranna and Prabhath underscores the growing fatigue in Maoist ranks. "The brass is fragmented, and the movement's ideological core has weakened," a senior intelligence officer said. According to sources, key Maoists, including Hidma and Devji, are still underground along with nine other central committee members - five of whom are from Telangana.