HYDERABAD, OCT 09 :
Koti Purshotham and his wife Koti Vinodhini played a key role in building the support base for Naxalites in infested regions of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh
Citing a leadership crisis in the Maoist outfit among other reasons, a sexagenarian couple surrendered before the Telangana police in the presence of Hyderabad Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar here on Tuesday.
The two Maoists who joined the mainstream are Koti Purshotham (68) alias Vijay and his wife Koti Vinodhini (63) alias Bharathakka. They used to work as teachers in a private school.
Member of the Regional Committee of the CPI (Maoist), Mr. Purshotham joined the People’s War Group (PWG) in 1981. Ms. Vinodhini is Dala Commander of Agitation Propaganda Committee.
The couple played a key role in building the support base for Naxalites in infested regions of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh and have recruited more than 60 cadres in their tenure. Purshotham was carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh on his head, while the government had declared Rs 5 lakh for Ms. Vinodhini, Mr. Kumar said.
Speaking to media after their surrender, Mr. Purshotham said that due to his wife’s failing health, lack of financial support and work from the PWG, they have decided to join the mainstream.
He said that they were disenchanted with the movement as it had deviated from its original ideology. “So, we have decided to give up the path of violence and return to the mainstream.”
Further, he alleged that on account of the “ineffective leadership” of the Central Committee Member Akkiraju Hara Gopal alias Ramakrishna, or RK, the PWG was loosing its cadre across the country.
“RK is a selfish and ineffective leader. He is more concerned about his personal interest rather than the cadre,” he said.
He said that the couple knew RK and another top leader Ganapati personally for the past 25 years and sent them several letters seeking financial support from them but in vain.
