Rahul Pandita
Maoist supreme commander Ganapathi on the Naxal push into urban spaces, Rahul Gandhi's role in Vedanta’s Niyamgiri project and much more
During a recent trip to a Maoist base in Dandakaranya, Rahul Pandita had left a questionnaire for Maoist Supreme Commander Mupalla Laxman Rao alias Ganapathi, who had given him exclusive access last year for an interview (see ‘We Shall Certainly Defeat the Government’, 23 October 2009), his first ever. This time, Ganapathi has sent his replies in writing, covering a vast range of issues from Maoist leader Azad’s death and Rahul Gandhi’s role in Vedanta’s Niyamgiri project, to Maoist violence, their push into urban spaces, middle-class fears of their agenda, and chances of talks with the Centre. Excerpts:
India’s Home Minister is getting it from all sides. If the Maoist menace is not a headache enough, he’s got critics on his back, angry colleagues, and even jealous vibes within the Congress to fend off.
A top Maoist ideologue has revealed how Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh had tried opening a secret backdoor channel with the CPI (Maoist). Did it have the approval of the party High Command?
Varavara Rao’s Captive Imagination is one of the most vivid prison diaries of our time.
Old rivalries resurface as Naxals face poll challenges from within their ranks. The Jharkhand election could determine the future of Naxalism.