Bandi Sanjay warns Telangana netas having links to Maoist groups
The warning followed revelations by senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal alias Bhupathi, who surrendered in Maharashtra on October 15
By Anoushka Caroline Williams
Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Sunday issued a strong warning to Telangana politicians allegedly linked to Maoist groups, saying the Centre will not hesitate to act against anyone shielding extremists.
MoS issues stern warning
Posting on social media platform X, Bandi Sanjay wrote, “Telangana politicians, consider this a warning. Those allegedly supporting armed networks while preaching democracy on stage, cut your links or get exposed. Central agencies won’t stop at Maoist cadres.”
He added that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the government is tracing networks that protect “corruption, criminality and extremist links” and will eliminate them “without mercy or leniency.”
“Whoever it may be, however big you think you are, step aside if you’re part of the problem. Even the tallest leaders will fall if they stand on the wrong side of national security,” he warned.
Trigger: Maoist leader’s surrender
The warning followed revelations by senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal alias Bhupathi, who surrendered in Maharashtra on October 15. Bhupathi, carrying a Rs 6 crore reward, claimed that a faction of the Telangana State Committee of CPI (Maoist) operated under secret protection from some politicians.
He stated that internal strife was causing the Maoist party to disintegrate and that it had strayed from its original mission of championing tribals and rural poor. Bhupathi surrendered along with 60 cadres before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Centre highlights Maoist collapse
Reacting to the spate of surrenders, Bandi Sanjay tweeted that “Naxalism is collapsing.” According to him, since January 2024, over 2,100 Maoists have surrendered, 1,785 cadres arrested and 477 eliminated.
He noted that the surrender of 258 cadres in two days in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra reflects a decisive move by the Central government. “We remain committed to eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026,” the minister added.
