The latest surrender of top Maoist party leaders including party general secretary Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devji and central committee member Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram before the Telangana police is said to have enhanced the image of chief minister A Revanth Reddy, analysts say.
What is more image-boosting for Revanth Reddy was the way he held a meeting with surrendered senior Maoist leaders and gave them an assurance that the government would help them lead a dignified life.
Unlike in other states, including Andhra Pradesh, where the local police preferred to eliminate the Maoists in encounters, the Revanth Reddy government made the top leaders surrender and also offered them an opportunity to take to democratic politics.
During the meeting, the surrendered leaders conveyed that if the Central government cooperates, they are prepared to formally renounce armed struggle and dissolve the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).
They proposed to transform the Maoist organisation into a political entity functioning within constitutional limits. They stated that in the present socio-political climate, continuing armed rebellion was no longer viable and expressed willingness to pursue their ideological objectives democratically.
Revanth Reddy said he would take up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and explore possibilities for structured dialogue. However, he clarified that decisions regarding broader political recognition lie with the Centre.
The surrendered leaders sought enhanced reward packages comparable to other states; house sites and agricultural land; coverage under the Aarogyasri health insurance scheme, among others.
The chief minister assured immediate Aarogyasri coverage and directed the DGP to examine reward structures in other states. However, he stated that allocation of agricultural land was not feasible.
The chief Minister instructed officials to ensure robust security arrangements for the surrendered leaders to facilitate their integration into mainstream society.
Political observers describe the meeting as symbolically important, signalling the government’s attempt to frame rehabilitation not merely as surrender but as structured political reintegration.