Maoist organisation plagued by corruption, exploitation

* Frustrated by these and other ‘unlike party’ trends, some senior leaders and cadres in CPI (Maoist) have been breaking away from the organisation

By Kartik Lokhande
UNDATED, Feb 2: Power struggle and differences have intensified within CPI (Maoist) organisation over several issues. Frustrated with the differences and ‘suppression’ by Telugu leaders and cadres, many Maoists are breaking away or leaving or surrendering before police in the recent past.
Though not many are coming out openly on issues that led to their decision, a senior cadre Sabyasachi Panda had spelled out those in his detailed letter to Maoist top brass in late 2012. Initially, the Maoist leadership reacted to the letter and specific observations made in it as an attempt to malign the party. However, in its latest meeting, Central Committee of CPI (Maoist) has admitted to ‘damage’ caused by ‘renegade’ Panda’s letter. What did ‘that’ letter contain?
There were a lot many shocking observations made by an insider like Panda, who now heads break-away faction Odisha Maobadi Party (OMP) active in some parts of Odisha. Panda had written two letters to CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Muppalla Laxmana Rao alias Ganapathy (referred to as GS), Politburo members Prashant Bose alias Sumit Dada, Narayan Sanyal alias Vijay Dada. In the letters, Sabyasachi Panda had quoted several instances to drive home his point that CPI (Maoist) ‘did not represent the true people’s democracy’. He had dubbed the theory of annihilation as ‘ugly’ and had raised several questions whether the Maoist leaders had any alternative policies on industrial development, agricultural, medical, educational aspects. He did not mince words condemning the stand taken by some Central Committee members including Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavraj, Manoj, Bhaskar and others on various issues.
It was Panda who first gave voice to discontent brewing in Maoist rank and file due to ‘autocratic functioning’ of leaders, exploitation of women, financial corruption, lies during various operations to frame some members who disapproved of ‘deviation’ from goals of the movement, problems with unity, illicit sexual relations etc.
“Leaders are thinking of them as masters and cadres have no courage to oppose the leader’s mistakes. Voting on only two-three opinions, which are coming from leaders mainly, in conference/congress does not reflect the real democracy. You are not for true people’s democracy. You want an autocratic system in the name of proletarian dictatorships. Even innocent people are killed sometimes for revolution,” observed Panda. He pointed out ‘problems’ in unity of the party as the Telugu leaders dominated the decision-making and often ‘imposed’ their decisions. People’s War (PW) and Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI), which came together to form CPI (Maoist) in 2004, ‘were engaged in quarrel’ as the merger had taken place ‘hastily’, he added.
Within the organisation, elevation of cadres was based on favouritism, Panda had revealed. Mincing no words, he had commented, “Gun-holding commanders are not tolerating the local tribal people’s assertion. Only ‘yes men’ and good boys/girls of leaders are promoted. Telugu leaders and cadres have their separate meetings and impose their ideas on other cadres.” In fact, Telugu members commented on food habits of non-Telugu cadres and it had become a point of quarrel between ‘local and non-local cadres’ in everyday life in jungle.
The Maoists, who claim to fight against exploitation, themselves resort to exploitation of cadres. Panda’s letter highlights ‘how’ and ‘when’. Quoting an incident, he pointed out that the party had arrested three women squad members who wanted to go home during a Christian festival. He quoted Central Committee member Manoj as saying that ‘all these are needed for revolution and if needed one member and leader can be killed’. Similarly, Panda quoted another incident in which a party member Ramesh was madly in love with a girl in the squad, but the leaders separated them and tortured Ramesh. In fact, some senior members wanted to eliminate Ramesh.

Published in The Hitavada all edition on February 3, 2014

Financial corruption
CPI (Maoist) proves to be no exception to the phenomenon called corruption, if one goes by the content of Sabyasachi Panda’s letter and specific instances he quoted. According to him, there is ‘no fair accounting system’ in the party. “In a war-engaged underground party, there is ample scope for corruption,” he observed. Here are excerpts from his letter in this regard:
During one check, shortage of Rs 4.50 lakh in funds came to fore. In a Divisional Commanders’ meeting, one Divisional Committee member Krishna said that he had given Rs 1.50 lakh to Central Committee member Manoj, but this was not reported in main account. Manoj remained silent and reported that he had lost that account list somewhere.
From one Dandakaranya zone cadre Budhiram, Panda and others seized Rs 40,000 and a new mobile phone, which he had stolen and kept with him. “So many DK cadres and main force activists are spending money as per their wish and giving round accounts by saying that all Rs 10,000 were spent. Also, some had money with them in thousands. All these are symptoms of wrong trend that are being promoted from above to continue the war by any means,” Panda stated in the letter.
Panda also asked certain questions, “From where these tribal cadres are learning corruption? Why, from Ashok to Budhiram, all Central Committee member staff are so corrupt?” He dubbed the scenario as ‘financial anarchy’. During 9th unity congress, Bengali comrade Ashok had not given accounts of Rs 15 lakh. “This type of financial anarchy will lead to corruption inside party and later in the Government after revolution. This is a virus inside the party. This has developed criminality in some cadres,” he added.
In procurement of arms and ammunition, explosives also there was corruption as different rates were quoted for same kind of explosives. Rates for the same kind of explosives differed from Rs 200 to Rs 1,200 per kg in reports of different members, it was pointed out.

Exploitation of women,
illicit sexual relations
The Maoists have been denying existence of exploitation of women in their organisation. Whenever the surrendered cadres spoke of it, Maoist leadership dubbed it as ‘Government propaganda’. However, Sabyasachi Panda’s letter proved Maoists’ claims as a ‘lie’.
“Central Committee members’ approach on women cadres was not correct,” Panda stated. He went further naming two former Divisional Committee members Uday and Dora/Ghasiram of Basadara Division as ‘affected’ by some diseases because of repeated ‘illicit’ sexual relations with women, inside and outside the party. Uday was arrested from a home, where he had illicit relationship with house-owner’s wife, he added.
A ‘rule’ exists in Maoist organisation, under which blades are issued to all boys and girls to shave their private parts. “Women cadres are regularly advised to do so. When young boys and girls of PLGA engage themselves in shaving their private parts everyday, they will be tempted for illicit sexual relations. And, this is one of the reasons behind so many illicit sexual relations in PLGA, particularly in South Zone,” observed Panda. He also wondered if ‘revolution’ was linked in any way to asking cadres to take bath without wearing clothes. “What is the relation of revolution with such stupid theory?” he asked.

Maoists, too, are
brand-conscious
One may not believe it, but it is true. Maoists, who widely publicise their strong opposition to big companies and their assault on local products, are brand-conscious. Some of them even refuse to work if there is no luxury like television set.
For instance, a driver sent by Central Military Commission of CPI (Maoist) had ‘gone back’ before Nayagarh raid as the local cadres in Odisha asked him to stay in a rented room and could not arrange for him a hotel room with a TV set. Quarrels between party leaders over allopathic and homoeopathic medicines is common.
As far as products are concerned, Panda mentioned in his letter, leaders insisted on using ‘the Maoist brand Lifebuoy soap’. If a squad member brought Margo brand of soap instead, immediately Central Committee members would comment on that. Besides, there is emphasis on using Rin brand of detergent soap, Timex watch, and Action trekking shoes. “Is it anti-imperialist political mood or pro-monopoly capitalist propaganda?” Panda wondered.