Maoist Leadership in Shambles: Top Command Decimated to Just Five Members

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The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has suffered a devastating blow in the past year, with its central committee membership dwindling from 21 to just five. The drastic decline is attributed to a combination of security forces' efforts and mass surrenders by top leaders. According to Chhattisgarh Police data, the central committee, the highest decision-making body of the proscribed outfit, had around 45 members until three years ago. However, with the recent killing of Ganesh Uike, a top Maoist leader, and the surrender of five others, the remaining five members are now the only ones left. The security forces have made significant gains in their fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), with over 270 Maoists neutralized, more than 1,225 surrendered, and 680 arrested across several states in the past year. The most notable surrenders include those of CC member Sujata, wife of slain Maoist leader Kishenji, and Mallujula Venugopal Rao. The five remaining members are all above 60 years old, with the eldest, Ganpathy, believed to be in his late 70s. Officials suspect Ganpathy to be hiding along the borders of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur, Telangana, and Maharashtra. As security forces work towards ending Maoism by March 31, 2026, a deadline set by the Union government, officials believe that the party's top leaders are fighting a lost battle. With fewer than 100-150 full-time armed cadres in the south Bastar region and just 10-15 in North Bastar, the Maoist leadership is struggling to maintain its grip on the region. The decline of the Maoist leadership is a significant achievement for the security forces, who continue to work towards ending LWE extremism in the country.