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Some expectations

Varavara Rao

"WE KNOW our strength as we are working with the masses" was how Varavara Rao, a long-time associate of the CPI (Maoists), reacted to the huge response to the rallies organised by the party.

"The public will unfailingly turn up in large numbers if the CPI (Maoists) is allowed to hold such rallies. This was proved when the party organised its last major meeting in Hyderabad in 1990 prior to the long interregnum," Mr. Rao, who is leading the three-member CPI (Maoists) team at the talks with the Andhra Pradesh Government, said.

What is the self-reliance and region-wise political power to the people that Mr. Rao and the CPI (Maoists) frequently talk about? In their jargon, it is opposing World Bank policies and its model of development hinging on privatisation, liberalisation and globalisation. For the CPI (Maoists), development is the extension of basic necessities — food, shelter and clothing — to the toiling masses. Region-wise political power is people's empowerment by revolutionary parties through liberation of villages, Mr. Rao said.

And it should be in the form of commune or soviets or gram rajya committees as set up by the CPI (Maoists), he added.

According to Mr. Rao, the Maoists expect the Government to distribute Government land, which is as much as 10 million acres under various categories in the State, following the talks.

Restoration of democratic rights, ensuring freedom of speech, allowing meetings and rallies of revolutionary groups, and doing away with fake encounters would help instil confidence, he said.

Mr. Rao did not expect a spiral of violence after the talks if the Government stuck to the rule of law. It would take time for the talks to fructify, he pointed out.

Knotty issues such as inquiry into fake encounters, release of political prisoners and land distribution would take months or even years of discussion, he said. But restoration of peace was guaranteed, besides increase in levels of social awareness, he added.

N.R.

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