Date:15/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/15/stories/2004101502561900.htm

Back PW, MCCI merge to form CPI (Maoist)

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Oct. 14

AFTER more than two decades of talks, the CPI (ML) (People's War) and Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI) have merged to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist).

The decision, taken at a joint meeting of two Central Committees on September 21 at an undisclosed place, was announced here on Thursday by Mr Ramakrishna, People's War's State Secretary.

Subsequent to the merger, the two `armies' - People's Guerrilla Army (of PW) and People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) of MCCI - would also become a single entity.

The new entity would be referred to as PLGA with effect from December 2, the anniversary of PGA's formation.

While PW is present in 13 States with strong roots in Andhra Pradesh and vast stretches in Dandakaranya, MCC is well spread out in Bihar and Jharkhand.

"The long-felt need to form a formidable revolutionary party to liberate the oppressed masses has resulted in the merger," Mr Ramakrishna said. "The new party will continue to act as a consolidated political vanguard of the Indian proletariat."

Mr Ganapati, General Secretary of erstwhile PW, has been elected General Secretary of CPI (Maoist)'s Central Committee (Provisional).

Terming the merger as a major victory for the oppressed and exploited masses, Mr Ramakrishna observed that the merger was a cause of great concern for the ruling classes.

The CPI (Maoist) will take up a 10-day State-wide political campaign beginning on November 7 to take the message to the people. The campaign will culminate in a public meeting in Hyderabad on November 16.

The campaign will educate the people on the five documents adopted by the Joint Central Committees for its programme.

Mr Ramakrishna is camping in the State Capital, heading a five-member naxal team to take part in the talks with the State Government beginning on October 15.