Telangana ex-Maoists take different political paths
HYDERABAD: Former Maoists in Telangana are taking different political routes after entering public life, with Lanka Papi Reddy launching the Jana Telangana Party while three other former rebels are working towards a broader Left and social front.
The divergent approaches reflect differences over the organisational platform, but the groups have left open the possibility of working together on issues of common concern through a minimum common programme, as reported by TOI.
Trio says it has no connection with Jana Telangana Party
In a statement issued on September 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 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, along with Dalit, Adivasi, Bahujan and religious minority groups.
They said the proposed platform would oppose 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.
The leaders appealed to Telangana’s revolutionary camp to rally behind their proposed platform rather than join other political parties. However, they indicated that they were willing to cooperate with any organisation, including the Jana Telangana Party, 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 the Law Common Entrance Test (LAWCET).
Papi Reddy pushes electoral route with new party
Papi 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 September 19.
He said many of the aspirations that fuelled the Telangana statehood movement remained 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 conducted meetings in the erstwhile Adilabad district and is preparing for an organisational expansion drive.
