Author: Soumitra Bose
Publication: The Time of India
Date: October 18, 2025
URL:    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/surrendered-guerrilla-bhupathi-reveals-huge-split-in-maoist-ranks-one-faction-hand-in-glove-with-telangana-netas/articleshow/124642285.cms

During interrogation, surrendered Maoist top gun Bhupathi, alias Sonu or Abhay, revealed fractures within Communist Party of India (Maoist) and a secret collusion between a faction of the guerrillas and some Telangana politicians.

The seniormost politburo member detailed how the once-formidable Maoist organisation is disintegrating due to internal strife, declining public support, and opportunistic ties with govt authorities. These revelations are part of Bhupathi's statement to interrogators that project a movement on the brink of collapse. The interrogation report has been accessed by TOI.

Bhupathi, also known as ‘Sonu Dada' to comrades and Abhay to the national media, confessed that CPI(Maoist) had strayed from its fundamental principle of championing the cause of tribals and rural poor. "The movement began with a vow to fight for adivasis and the underprivileged, but it sank into mindless violence and self-serving agendas," he told security forces. Bhupathi attributed the guerrilla group's decline to rigid emphasis on armed struggle, which alienated former supporters in tribal belts. There was a time when Maoists had unflinching support at the grassroots, but resentment against the rebels grew over its stiff opposition to govt schemes like Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), Aadhaar cards, solar energy subsidy, Forest Rights Act (FRA), and land distribution programmes. "These initiatives are designed to uplift tribals and foster development," Bhupathi explained during questioning.

"The politburo branded pro-people laws as ‘state intrusions' and ‘low-intensity warfare'. They enforced boycotts, infuriating communities who began viewing Maoists as obstacles to development," he stated. Bhupathi also admitted that senior cadres advocated reconsidering this approach, but the Maoist brass dismissed it. "The armed conflict is obsolete. We must operate within the Constitution and support people's voices through peaceful means," he told interrogators.

Delving deeper, Bhupathi exposed exploitative traits within the party, particularly targeting the Telangana State Committee (TSC) as "opportunistic Naxals" — a derogatory label for those aligning with power structures. "They are not comrades but ‘godi' (loyalists) cadres. These ‘godi' members operate under the secret protection of a section of Telangana politicians, enjoying an undeclared ceasefire and access to state resources while feigning resistance. Why is the state extending such leniency," he asked.

Bhupathi revealed to interrogators that ‘opportunistic Naxal' factions resisted his surrender, fearing it would unravel their covert arrangements. "Those aligning with Telangana politicians wanted me to continue the armed struggle in Abujmarh. If I followed them, another 500 tribals would have died," said the former Maoist ideologue. Currently, a temporary ceasefire holds in Telangana till October-end, with 70 Maoist operatives still active in the region.

Bhupathi's disclosures highlight a split politburo, experts say. He along with Satish and Rajman Mandavi, used to lead a pro-peace group advocating dialogue, renewed public engagement, and a pause in military aggression. "The People's War (PW) has grown unstable and irrelevant. We've suffered immense casualties and communities are abandoning us. The hardline faction led by Deoji, Hidma and Prabhakar, demands uncompromising adherence to violence," he said, adding Telangana's dominance in the politburo is evident, with eight of 12 Central Committee members hailing from the state.