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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Wife's arrest reignites hunt for Ashanna, India's most elusive Maoist commander
Hyderabad: The long-drawn trail of one of India's most dangerous Maoist leaders, Takkalapalli Vasudeva Rao, alias Ashanna, has reignited after his wife, Sri Vidya, was arrested by Telangana police in Hyderabad on July 24. A senior cadre of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), Sri Vidya's arrest has turned the spotlight back on Ashanna—a top strategist and executioner in the Maoist insurgency who has eluded capture for over three decades. According to intelligence sources, Ashanna, also called Rupesh, is now believed to be operating from the dense Abujhmadh forests in Chhattisgarh, continuing to direct lethal guerrilla operations across central India. His reputation as a master tactician and bomb-maker is matched only by his ability to vanish into the forested terrain, evading even the most sophisticated security crackdowns. A life in rebellion You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Born in Polonipalli village in Warangal (now Mulugu district), Ashanna hailed from a middle class Velama family. After studying at an ITI Polytechnic, he joined the People's War Group (PWG) in 1991. Within a decade, he was involved in over 48 criminal cases in Warangal district alone, including attacks on police stations and sabotage of railway lines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Benteng Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo His meteoric rise began with his appointment as head of the PWG's action team in Hyderabad in 1999. A decade later, he was inducted into the CPI (Maoist) central committee. Intelligence sources suspect that he may have been elevated as a Central Committee member. However, Ashanna, in an interview said he is in-charge of the North-West Sub-Zonal Committee of Dandakaranya of CPI (Maoist). Fluent in Telugu, Hindi, and Gondi, Ashanna carries an AK-47 and a ₹20 lakh bounty declared by the Telangana govt. High-profile killings Ashanna's name comes to mind in some of the most audacious and politically destabilising Maoist strikes. He masterminded the 2000 landmine attack that killed then Andhra Pradesh home minister A Madhava Reddy, and the daylight gunning down of IPS officer KS Umesh Chandra in Hyderabad in 1999. His sensational strike came in 2003—a failed assassination attempt on then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Alipiri ghat road, near Tirupati, using claymore mines. Though Naidu survived, the attack marked a turning point in the state's anti-Naxal policy. Ashanna was also linked to multiple assassination attempts on ex-CM N Janardhan Reddy in 2003 and 2007. In the latter attack, three aides were killed. Forensics pointed to his trademark use of remote-detonated landmines. He is suspected of involvement in the 2019 IED blast in Gadchiroli that killed 15 Maharashtra policemen and had even allegedly camped in Delhi to plot a high-level assassination before escaping a police raid. Ashanna has also served as a military trainer at the Buniyadi Communist Training School in Dandakaranya. His instruction in explosives, intelligence gathering, and ambush tactics have shaped many of the CPI (Maoist)'s current operatives. He also headed the group's military intelligence unit, guiding operations across Telangana, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. Despite nearly being captured in Mahbubnagar in 2010 and false reports of his death in 2018, Ashanna remains India's most wanted Maoist figure. A tactical opening? In a joint operation by the Special Intelligence Bureau and Miyapur police, Sri Vidya was arrested from a rented house in Hafeezpet, Hyderabad. A senior member of the Dandakaranya state committee, she too carried a ₹20 lakh reward. Maoist literature and a laptop were seized, but no solid intelligence on Ashanna has surfaced yet. "We believe he may now go deeper into the forests or shift entirely," said an officer. Still, security forces are hopeful the arrest might offer the breakthrough they've sought for over three decades. However, in a recent interview to the media, Ashanna has put forth truce proposal and a ceasefire to govt following the Kagar encounter killings.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Task ahead for BJP chief in Telangana
After months of suspense, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership has finally zeroed in on former MLC Naraparaju Ramchander Rao as the new president of the State unit for the next three years. A veteran of student politics, a legal eagle, and long considered the intellectual face of the party, Mr. Rao replaces Union Minister for Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy, who held the post for the last two years. Although the position was slated as an election, Mr. Rao was the only candidate to file a nomination. Mr. Rao has the backing of the BJP's central leadership, which will help him to streamline his work systematically. Amid mounting pressure to appoint a Backward Class candidate as the party chief, the BJP stuck to its convention of recognising leaders who have risen from the grassroots. Mr. Rao edged out Malkajgiri MP Eatala Rajender, who had used all his resources to get the top post. The next Assembly and Parliament elections are still four years away, but there has been intense competition among the aspirants for the coveted post. While the selection process was repeatedly delayed, lobbying for the prestigious post never disappeared. Over the past six years, the BJP has taken a calculated risk in wooing leaders from other political parties. The party tasted success in the 2023 Assembly elections, where eight BJP candidates — seven of them first-timers — emerged victorious. The same tempo continued in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where the BJP again won eight seats, doubling its tally from 2019. Interestingly, several outsiders joined the party and went on to become MPs. However, the BJP, by encouraging those from other parties, created resentment among old timers. This also led to groupism in the party, which seldom tolerates indiscipline and discourages leader-centric politics. This heartburn among the loyal leaders and cadres has been contained with the appointment of Mr. Rao. In Telangana, where Backward Classes form the largest share of the electorate, followed by Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and then Forward Castes, most major parties — especially the Congress — have focused heavily on winning their support. With this backdrop, BJP workers had hoped the party would elevate a Backward Class leader as State president. To the surprise of everyone, the top brass went ahead by loyalty and commitment, naming Mr. Rao, a Brahmin, as the party chief. Coming to the caste equations, the BJP is known to hold a strong sway among the Brahmins and the influential Velama community, followed by a few Backward Class communities. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have, traditionally, avoided sailing with the saffron party. The powerful Reddy community, which traditionally sailed with the Congress, had shifted its support base over the years. In the 2018 Assembly elections, it leaned toward the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), backed the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, and returned to the Congress fold in 2023. 'Leadership to be tested' According to the Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste Survey — which covered 3,54,77,554 people and 1,12,15,134 families — Backward Classes account for 56.33% of Telangana's population, including 10.08% BC Muslims. SCs make up 17.43%, STs 10.45%, and Muslims 12.56% (of whom 2.48% are OC Muslims). Forward Castes constitute 13.31% of the population. Therefore, the new BJP chief has his task cut out to woo the Backward Class voters. Beyond his political capabilities, Mr. Rao's leadership will be tested in the upcoming local body polls. It is a fact that the BJP has not penetrated the rural areas as expected, with its support base largely confined to a few pockets. The local body polls, particularly the gram panchayat elections, which are held on a non-party basis, will require Mr. Rao to focus on identifying willing and capable candidates. The BJP will be up against the ruling Congress, which will leave no stone unturned to secure a victory. The BRS, the main Opposition party, will also be in the reckoning. If the BJP hopes to make further inroads in the State, Mr. Rao will have to channel all his energy into reaching every corner of Telangana; constituting village units, and enthusing the cadres. His experience and ideological grounding will be put to the test in the coming months, as he takes on both the ruling Congress and the BRS.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Revanth inducts 3 ministers, Cong sticks to social justice
1 2 3 4 5 6 Hyderabad: Bringing an end to prolonged political suspense, chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday expanded his cabinet for the first time since assuming office in Dec 2023. Three new ministers – G Vivek Venkatswamy, Adluri Laxman Kumar, and Vakiti Srihari – were inducted, reflecting the Congress party 's continued focus on caste and regional balance, as well as its internal political calculations. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Raj Bhavan, where governor Jishnu Dev Varma administered the oath of office. The portfolios are yet to be announced. In a parallel move, the Congress has also decided to nominate Dornakal MLA J Ramachandra Naik as deputy speaker of the legislative assembly. The position has remained vacant for over a year-and-a-half, and the official notification is expected to be issued in the coming week. Though the cabinet can have up to 18 ministers, Revanth has chosen to fill only three of the six vacant berths at this time. The decision to keep three positions open suggests that the party is leaving room for future manoeuvring – especially in light of continuing demands from various quarters within the Congress. The caste configuration of the new ministers appears carefully calibrated: Vivek Venkatswamy belongs to the SC Mala community, Laxman Kumar to the SC Madiga group, and Srihari to the BC Mudiraj community. Ramachandra Naik represents the Scheduled Tribes. This move raises the total number of SCs in the 15-member cabinet to four, along with four Reddys, three BCs, one Kamma, one Brahmin, one Velama, and one ST – leaving no representation from minorities or the legislative council for now. Chennur MLA Vivek Venkatswamy, a former MP from Peddapalli (2009–2014), is serving his first term as an MLA. Laxman Kumar, a seasoned Congress hand from Dharmapuri, is also a first-time legislator and currently serves as the govt chief whip. Srihari, a former Youth Congress leader, was elected for the first time from Makthal constituency in the 2023 assembly polls. Talks of cabinet expansion had intensified since Saturday, though the govt and the party maintained silence until Sunday morning. It was only a few hours before the swearing-in that the chief minister took to X to officially announce the names of the new ministers and the deputy speaker nominee. Party insiders suggest that immense lobbying and internal pressures delayed the expansion for months. At one stage, it was expected that four of the six vacancies would be filled, with at least one seat earmarked for a member from the minority or OC (other castes) communities. Names doing the rounds included former minister and Bodhan MLA P Sudarshan Reddy, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy, Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy, and Mancherial MLA K Prem Sagar Rao – all from OC backgrounds – besides MLC Amer Ali Khan and govt advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir from the minorities. However, in the final call, none from the OC or minority communities were included – a decision that has drawn attention and is likely to be addressed in a subsequent round of expansion, sources said. Notably, no member from the legislative council has found a place in the cabinet. MLCs like Vijayashanti, Addanki Dayakar, and Amer Ali had lobbied hard for ministerial berths but were left out, with the leadership opting to restrict the cabinet choices to MLAs alone. The latest expansion reflects the Congress' attempt to maintain a delicate caste and political balance while keeping the door open for future negotiations and adjustments, a senior analyst said.
Hans India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Telangana Cabinet Expanded, three new ministers take oath
In a significant development in Telangana's political landscape, Gaddam Vivek, Vakiti Srihari, and Adluri Laxman were sworn in as new ministers at the Raj Bhavan. With this expansion, the Telangana cabinet now comprises 15 members, leaving three vacancies to be filled. The current cabinet composition reflects a mix of social groups, including four members from the Reddy community, four Scheduled Castes (SCs), three Backward Classes (BCs), and one each from the Velama, Brahmin, Kamma, and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. Meanwhile, reports suggest that another cabinet expansion may be on the horizon, with many aspirants vying for a chance to join the ranks of ministers.
