The next big blow was the surrender of Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Bhupati, alias Sonu. A Politburo member known as the ideological head of the Maoist party, Sonu surrendered in October 2025 in Maharashtra. In February this year came yet another massive blow — the surrender of Politburo member Thippiri Tirupathi, alias Devuji. He was seen as the next Maoist chief following Basavaraju’s killing last year, and he headed the Central Military Commission of the CPI (Maoist). Mupalla Laxman Rao alias Ganpathi alias Ramanna, 75, is another Politburo member and former general secretary, who has been inactive for years.

Source: Indian Express March 31, 2026 15:23 UTC