Interview with Naxal Leader Ganesh Ueike

Ganesh Ueike-Chandrababu Naidu Still a Target

Tuesday, July 25, 2006 (Dantewada forests):

NDTV travelled deep into Naxal territory in Chattisgarh and interviewed Ganesh Ueike, a top Naxal leader.

Ganesh Ueike, the militia's commander in Bastar and Dantewada, is an unassuming, middle-aged man but it soon became clear that he means business.Ueike, who is a state committee member of the CPI (Maoist), also said that former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is still a target even though he's no longer in power.

A few years ago, in a remarkably accurate and devastating attack, Naidu's car was blown up. He was lucky to have survived but he has not escaped the Naxals' anger.
"We still feel that we were right in targeting Chandrababu Naidu. Our tactics during the elections were correct.

If you make an analysis of the all India situation, he devised the worst policies to suppress us and to a great extent he was successful," said Ganesh Uieke, State Committee Member, CPI (Maoist)."So targetting him was essential for the movement. Hence we targetted him. It doesn't mean that if we kill Naidu the system will change.
If Varma goes Sharma will take over. But there is always a focal point of attack," he added.

NDTV : Is he still a target?

Ganesh Uieke: Yes. He is still a target.

NDTV : You say if Varma goes Sharma will take over. Then why is he still a target?

Ganesh Uieke:<span style="font-weight:bold;"> He killed 1200 of us and 5000 to 6000 others. He was a despot and an enemy of the people. So he will remain a target of the movement.

NDTV : Do you have a hit list?

Ganesh Uieke: No we don't have any hit list. The mainstream media calls us terrorists. But we are leading a political movement. We have a mass line and a political line. We don't believe that one or two actions would solve all the problems. Revolution doesn't happen like Bollywood movie.

NDTV : Are there other national leaders?

Ganesh Uieke: Whoever is against the movement is an enemy. Although the comparison with terrorism is perhaps inevitable, the Naxal leader condemned the Mumbai train blasts but expressed solidarity with the militancy in Kashmir.

NDTV : Do you agree with politics and militancy of Kashmiri militants? For instance the Mumbai blasts?

Ganesh Uieke: You can't compare Kashmir to Mumbai. The Kashmiri people don't have to do this in Mumbai. They are fighting for Kashmir. Those who choose soft targets or do such things to create communal hatred have nothing to do with people.
They are mercenaries funded by national or international powers. Anyone who has people's interests in mind will not support such attacks against innocent people.

NDTV : So you don't target civilians?

Ganesh Uieke: No that's against the people. All this should be condemned.

NDTV : You say that you support all national movements like Kashmiri and NE militancy. Do you have any relationship with these outfits ?

Ganesh Uieke: Not directly. We are only giving them moral courage.

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