NEW DELHI: Despite persistent rumblings of an impending leadership change in CPI (Maoist) to install a younger and militarily-inclined Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavraj as general secretary in place of Mupalla Laxmana Rao alias Ganapathy, the incumbent may not be inclined to pass on the baton.According to an official in the security establishment, it has rarely been a practice among organisations subscribing to Maoist or communist ideology to have the top leader hand over charge to a deputy.The top person often retains leadership for his lifetime, wishing to contribute his 'thought' for times to come. Basavraj is also known to be an expert in matters such as assembling IEDs. "Ganapathy would rather continue as general secretary and leave the organisation with his 'thought', hoping it will guide CPI (Maoist) operations, policy and strategy after he is not around," the officer said.Speculation about change of leadership in CPI (Maoist) gained ground after its recent reverses in the face of sustained operations over the past months in Maoist strongholds like Bastar and Dandakaranya forests dotting the Chhattisgarh-Andhra-Odisha trijunction.According to a recent CPI (Maoist) paper released to the media, as many as 140 PLGA fighters were killed in anti-LWE operations this year. The dwindling numbers have even driven the outfit to launch a recruitment drive — all through December — to take on the Modi government's strategy to root out Maoists by 2022.As of today, barely seven of the 15-member politburo, the highest decision-making body of CPI (Maoist), are active, with the remaining either dead, surrendered or in jail. Similarly, only 17 of the 33 central committee members are at large.

Source: Times of India November 28, 2017 23:37 UTC