HYDERABAD: Telangana PCC president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud on November 20 sparked a fresh political debate after declaring that Maoist leaders Hidma, Keshava Rao and Ganapathi were “respected by their cadre for sacrificing their lives for ordinary people.” He made the remarks while attending a round-table conference organised by the CPI Telangana State Council at Makhdoom Bhavan, Himayathnagar, where the meeting was framed as a protest against the BJP-led Central government and its intensified anti-Maoist operations.
The Congress leader said there were ‘serious doubts’ over recent encounters in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states, adding that each case must undergo a judicial inquiry. He reiterated the Congress’ stand against violence “from both sides,” and criticised the BJP government for following what he described as an “elimination process” in Maoist areas. “I am myself a victim of Naxalite violence,” he stated, arguing that accountability must accompany counter-insurgency action.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of the November 18 encounter in Maredumilli, Andhra Pradesh, in which top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma was killed. According to police briefings, the encounter triggered a large-scale crackdown across coastal Andhra districts, resulting in the arrest of nearly 50 Maoist cadres and the recovery of weapons and communication equipment in Vijayawada and its surrounding towns. Security agencies have linked the arrests to cadres fleeing intensified operations in Chhattisgarh.
The critics argued that Congress government in Telangana and its leadership is “looking for political points” at a time when forces under Operation Khagar had stepped up pressure against Maoist formations.
CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao, MLC Kodandaram, former MLA Julakanti Ranga Reddy, Urban Naxal like Prof. Haragopal, Vimalaakka, Chalapathi Rao, Govardhan, Hanumesh and E.T. Narasimha were among those present.
