Exclusive: Spate of surrenders later, Maoists get new public liaison who vouches for ‘armed struggle’
According to Telangana intelligence sources, Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji, believed to be the current General Secretary of the party, has doubled up as its public face under the pseudonym Abhay
Written by Nikhila Henry
New Delhi | Updated: October 22, 2025 03:53 AM IST
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Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu and Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji
The banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) has found a new public voice after its ideological head Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu surrendered along with 60 cadres in Maharashtra earlier this month. According to Telangana intelligence sources, Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji, believed to be the current General Secretary of the party, has doubled up as its public face under the pseudonym Abhay.
Two press releases – one renouncing Sonu and other prominent leaders of the party who surrendered, and another calling a country-wide bandh on October 24 – have come out so far under the name Abhay. The letters were issued on October 16 and came to light three days later.
“The name Abhay was once commonly used by Sonu to write press releases. Now, the name Abhay is being used by Tirupathi,” an intelligence source said, adding, “Devuji is hitting out at those who surrendered and gave up arms.” Devuji alias Devji hails from Telangana.
The releases, which brand Sonu and others “petty-bourgeois”, “right-wing”, “defectors” and “traitors”, also state that the party is not ready to give up the armed struggle. According to the releases, Sonu had shown “counter revolutionary tendencies” since 2011 – the year his brother Mallojula Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji was killed by security forces.
The letters state that while the party “tried to correct” Sonu over a period of time, he was overcome by “fear for his life”. The party also brands another member who surrendered recently, Rupesh alias Ashanna, a bombmaker who was behind the attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, a “traitor”.
“We assure the people of the country that even if Sonu or Satish (Rupesh) surrender to the enemy or if someone else surrenders tomorrow, our party will not surrender to the enemy,” it states. The party came down on those who surrendered the arms, stating that weapons should not have been laid down because it weakens the party’s arsenal.
“Devuji is the only prominent person in the Central Committee and Politburo who can issue such a statement,” an intelligence source said. Devuji used to head the Central Military Commission or the armed wing of the party before being elevated to the role of General Secretary. “The second release declaring a countrywide bandh is meant to declare that the party is going ahead without Sonu,” a source said.
Nikhila Henry is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With a career spanning 17 years, she has established herself as an authoritative voice on South Indian affairs, specialising in the complex intersections of politics, education, and social justice.
Experience & Career: Nikhila commenced her journalism career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad,where she gained recognition for her coverage of student politics. Her professional trajectory includes a four-year tenure at The Hindu, where she focused on minority affairs and social welfare. In 2019, she took on a leadership role as the South Bureau Chief for The Quint, where she directed regional coverage across all five South Indian states. Her expansive career also includes a tenure at the BBC in New Delhi and contributions to prestigious international outlets such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nikhila’s reportage is marked by a deep-seated understanding of grassroots movements and institutional policy. Her core focus areas include:
Regional Politics: Comprehensive analysis of the socio-political dynamics across South India.
Education & Student Movements: Chronicling the evolution of Indian academics and the rise of youth activism.
Minority Affairs: Rigorous reporting on the welfare, rights, and challenges facing marginalized communities.
National Beat: Elevating regional stories to national prominence through investigative and on-ground reporting.
Authoritativeness & Trust
A respected figure in Indian media, Nikhila is not only a seasoned reporter but also an accomplished author and editor. She authored the critically acclaimed book The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India and edited Caste is Not a Rumour, a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula. Her dual background in daily news reporting and long-form authorship allows her to provide readers with a nuanced, historically-informed perspective on contemporary Indian society.
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