Maoists field wives in panchayat polls

Gaya: Strange but true that wives/widow of some prominent Maoist leaders are contesting the panchayat elections this time from the district.
While for decades, Maoists have been giving poll boycott calls and organizing Jan Adalats to deliver corporal punishment to those involved in the poll process, the decision of their spouses to participate in the democratic process is indeed a welcome step, says SSP Garima Malik.
Maoist literature, particularly the articles in 'Jan Jwar' and 'Lal Chingari', the clandestinely published magazines, spewed venom against the constitutional mechanism and violent revolution to overthrow the constitutional order. No less than two former MPs--Ishwar Chaudhary and Rajesh Kumar--were gunned down during election campaign. Dozens of campaigners were caned and got their heads tonsured. But all that is history now.
Leading the list is Rinki Devi, widow of once dreaded Maoist leader Lalesh. Lalesh was killed in an encounter with Jharkhand police in the Chatra district in March 2013. Lalesh's widow Rinki is contesting for the post of mukhiya of Sivania panchayat of Maoist-hit Barachatti block.
Besides Rinki, Sunita Devi, wife of Vinod Marandi, leader of Revolutionary Communist Centre (RCC), the splinter group of the then MCC (Maoist Communist Centre), the outfit that merged with the People's War Group (PWG) to form CPI-Maoist is in the fray for the post of mukhiya of Diha panchayat of Gurua block of the district.
Though RCC was formed by widow of Sagar Chatterjee, the Maoist ideologue killed under controversial circumstances in Aurangabad district, Marandi virtually usurped the splinter group's leadership.
The third Naxal spouse to contest the election is Baby Devi, wife of Sanjay Yadav. Sanjay's wife is contesting the election for the post of mukhiya of Bihta panchayat of the Khizarsarai block.
Sanjay is alleged to have killed cops and executed several Maoist operations between 2005 and 2015. On Wednesday, Sanjay was arrested by Gaya police while campaigning for his wife.
"Spouses of Maoist leaders contesting elections must be seen as a positive development.
After opposing the democratic process for years, a section of them are now joining the mainstream which is a welcome step," said SSP Garima Malik and expressed hope that husbands of the contestants would renounce violence, surrender before the police and enjoy the benefits of the rehabilitation package meant for Maoists joining the mainstream.