Gadchiroli, February 25 (IANS). Former Naxalite Mallezula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu alias Bhupathi shared his life story in an exclusive conversation with news agency IANS on Wednesday.
He told that after joining the organization he got various responsibilities. He told, “I have come to Maharashtra from Telangana. Never operated in Chhattisgarh. I performed whatever responsibility was given to me. I am already in Maharashtra.”
Giving the reason for surrender, he said that mistakes were made in the Naxalite movement. Our party made mistakes. We did good work, won the trust of the people, but being armed kept people away. Now we have to go among the people, raise voice for their issues, work as per the Constitution.”
Bhupathi said that the issue of Naxal belongs to the central government. He said, “The Center has been guiding for the last 25-30 years. There are operation commands at different levels. States get guidance from the Centre. The same thing happens in Maharashtra too.”
Referring to the government schemes, he said, “There are single window schemes in Maharashtra. There are rehabilitation schemes in Chhattisgarh. There are different schemes in different states.
After the surrender, Bhupathi said that legal identity is being created. Aadhaar card is in process. Became for some people. After that we can go among the people.”
While inside, he had appealed to the cadres to give up their weapons. Cannot fight with weapons. Have become away from the public. Work under the Constitution. Even after coming out, I am giving the same message.”
He mentioned the recent surrender of senior leaders like Raj Reddy and Devji and said, “There are people left in Jharkhand too. It is good, they should come. I appeal as a Political Bureau member to come out, stay with the people, work under the Constitution.”
Bhupathi said that armed struggle was no longer practical in the changing reality. Cannot remain trapped in dogma. Have to work by living with people.
Bhupathi was a Politburo and Central Committee member of the CPI (Maoist), having worked in the organization for 43 years. Bhupathi handed over weapons including AK-47 to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 15 October 2025 and surrendered along with more than 60 cadres. The surrender took place at Gadchiroli Police Headquarters, where 54 weapons (including 7 AK-47, 9 INSAS rifles) were deposited. There was a reward of Rs 6 crore on Bhupathi.
This surrender is a big success against Naxalism. There have been many surrenders in Gadchiroli last year, but Bhupathi’s surrender is the biggest. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set the target of Naxalism-free India by 2026. Maharashtra government’s strict action, development schemes and rehabilitation policies are increasing surrenders.
–IANS
SCH/DKP/VC