The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Ex-naxal leader denies PW charge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 03, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Ex-naxal leader denies PW charge

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, MAY 2. The former naxalite leader, K.G. Satyamurthy, on Sunday refuted the allegations made by the People's War (PW) against him and charged the banned outfit with deviating from its principles and indulging in terror tactics.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Satyamurthy took strong exception to the PW politburo's recent statement that he and the PW ideologue, Pilla Venkateswara Rao, and other key members, Malik, Shivaji and Prasad, surrendered before the Government for money. "The PW should know that I did not surrender before anyone due to monetary provocation. Hence, I should not be compared with Pilla Venkateswara Rao and others,'' he said.

The politburo in a handout issued to a section of the press had accused Mr. Satyamurthy and others for ditching the `revolutionary movement' due to various allurements from the Government. "Owing to ideological differences, I had to severe my ties with the PW,'' he averred.

Mr. Satyamurthy, who was once holding No. 2 slot after late Kondapalli Sitaramaiah in the organisation, said that the PW was only striking terror by destroying properties and killing people instead of fighting for the cause of masses. ``Have they done anything for the masses,'' he asked and alleged that the outfit was suffering from ideologically bankruptcy and identity crisis.

Unless the leadership changed its attitude and took up corrective measures to refurbish its image, there could be new leadership, he cautioned. He also alleged that PW leaders were bogged down with caste and group politics.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh