Hyderabad: The outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation, facing heavy reverses under sustained security operations, appears to be undergoing one of its deepest leadership crises in decades, with senior leaders openly divided on the question of renouncing the armed struggle.

The debate began after politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Abhay, released a statement saying it was time for the party to consider giving up weapons temporarily and opening the door for peace talks with the government. Abhay, a top strategist in the Maoist organisation for over four decades, said there was a growing opinion within the ranks in favour of ending the insurgency but stressed the need for a broader consensus.

His letter was met with an immediate rebuttal from Telangana committee spokesperson Jagan a

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