Senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Bhupathi, who surrendered to the Maharashtra police last month along with 60 other cadres, urged cadres to lay down arms and join the mainstream to work among the masses.
In a video message released by the Gadchiroli police on Saturday, Bhupathi noted that the movement's disconnect with the people demonstrates the "failure of the path" of armed struggle.
"Active Maoists must leave the path of violence, surrender, and join the mainstream to work among the people," he said.
The former spokesperson of CPI (Maoist) also shared his mobile number, along with that of another surrendered comrade, Rupesh, so that ultras who reconsider their path can contact them to quit the movement.
He further accused the Central Committee of the proscribed outfit of taking a "hardened approach" due to its unwillingness to let go of armed struggle, despite recognizing the changes taking place all around.
He said that those dubbing him and other surrendered Naxalites as "gaddar" (traitors) are merely spreading misinformation.
Rupesh, also a Central Committee member, who laid down arms along with more than 200 cadres in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur last month—marking the largest mass surrender in the state’s history—had already explained in detail why ultras must surrender, he said.
"So I will not explain it further," Bhupathi added.
"The situation has changed, and Maoists must leave the armed movement and work within the law," the surrendered leader asserted.
"I would request all intellectuals in the country, janwadi premiyo (lovers of democracy), and, most importantly, benefactors of tribals to understand our decision and support us. Those who wish to lay down arms and work among the people can contact me and comrade Rupesh by phone," he said in the video message.
(With inputs from PTI)
