Decline of the Communist Party of India (Maoist)
The recent surrender of Thippiri Tirupathi, also known as Devuji or Devji, signals a critical turning point in the decline of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). With Devuji's surrender, the party's politburo has dwindled to just one active member, Misir Besra (alias Sagar/Sunirmal), and the central committee now has merely five active members, a significant reduction from its former strength of nearly 50.
Attrition and Leadership Losses
- The party has suffered heavy losses among its cadres, with over 500 Maoists killed in security operations since 2024.
- In 2025 alone, around 285 Maoists were killed, and around 22 have been neutralized so far in 2026.
- Security forces have destroyed over 100 Maoist memorials, erasing symbols of their dominance.
Remaining Leadership
Misir Besra, operating mainly in the Jharkhand-Bihar region, is now the sole active leader in the CPI (Maoist) politburo. The remaining cadres are largely restricted to the Bastar region, led by lower-rung military commanders who are expected to either surrender or be neutralized soon.
Impact of Devuji's Surrender
- Devuji was a prominent figure advocating for the continuation of armed struggle. His surrender, following the split triggered by Mallojula Venugopal Rao's surrender in October 2025, is a significant demoralizing blow to the faction.
- The central security establishment is confident of meeting the March 31 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to end Maoist violence.
Decimation of Telugu Leadership
The Telugu leadership of the party, once at its helm, has been nearly wiped out. Notable losses include:
- Malla Raji Reddy has surrendered.
- Nambala Keshav Rao (alias Basavaju) was killed in May 2025.
- Other neutralized members include Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy, Paka Hanumanthu, Gajarla Ravi, and others.
Currently, Muppala Laxmana Rao (alias Ganapathi) and Pusunuri Narahari (alias Vishwanath/Santhosh) remain elusive.
Current Status and Future Prospects
- Leadership is now primarily with Jharkhand and Odisha leaders, with Misir Besra leading from Jharkhand.
- The movement's ideological appeal has diminished due to changing social conditions and increased state presence in remote areas.
Although the insurgency is unlikely to disappear overnight, the CPI (Maoist) is rapidly losing leadership, cadre strength, territorial control, and firepower, indicating an inevitable decline.
