Maoists claim to serve people, denounce democracy

PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE? The Maoists say they are with the people and will die for the people.

Other stories in the section:

Singur speed-breaker gone, way clear for Nano

Mamata, Buddhadeb agree to hammer out differences over farmland.

• Nano saga: twists and turns so far

• AIIMS gets clean chit for clinical trials report

Featured Blog

Rajdeep Sardesai

Tale of Two Azmis

Featured Slideshows

Related Headlines

powered by

• We're behind Nandigram turmoil, admit Maoists
• Maoists shift focus, target Tatas and urban areas
• Naxals strike police posts in Orissa, 15 killed

Keywords: Chhattisgarh, Comrade Sonu

From an undisclosed location in Chattisgarh: The Nayagarh attack in Orissa has shown that the Naxals can take on the might of the Indian State.

Now, deep in the Naxal strongholds in the forests of Chattisgarh, Comrade Sonu, who is the Number 2 leader in the Communist Party of India (Maoist) Politburo has told CNN-IBN's Hemendra Sharma that they will never accept democracy.

Ninety-eight years ago, on February 10, the tribals of Chhattisgarh had risen against the British rule.

However, the Naxals have usurped history and use what they call Bhoomkal Divas to inspire their cadres and local supporters against the Indian state.

"In 1910, our people fought against the British. We have gathered here to carry forward that struggle," said a local tribal, Ram Sevak.

Unlike their ideological cousins in Nepal and Bihar, there is no way the Maoists of Chhattisgarh will exchange the bullet for the ballot.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN, Comrade Sonu gave a resounding NO to democracy.

On being asked if there is any demand within the party to become a part of democracy, as was the case with the CPI (ML) of Bihar, Sonu said there wasn’t.

"This is not democracy. Parliamentary form of governance, we do not accept as democracy," he stated.

"We are with the people. We will die for the people, we will work for the people… we are the servants of the people!” he said.

Now that the Maoists have taken over the forest area, every year they reiterate their resolve to seek liberation from the oppressor, which according to them is the state.