cate: Rajaka (BC), native of Thatikayala village, Dharmasagar
mandal, Hanumakonda district, Telangana, State. State Committee
Member (SCM) and in-charge of CNM in DKSZC of CPI (Maoist).
Early Life and Family Back ground
➢ Mogilicherla Venkatraju @ Chandu is a native of Thatikalaya village, Dharmasagar
mandal, Hanumakonda district. His father Komuraiah worked as a water supplier in
the village and his mother Uppalamma was a homemaker. He had three brothers
and one sister. Both his parents and his younger brother, Mahender have passed
away. Marriage life
➢ Chandu married Jury, a native of the Maad area, in 2003. However, the couple
separated in 2011 following her decision to leave the CPI (Maoist). In 2019,
Chandu married Thodem Ganga @ Sony, who is currently working as a State
Committee Member (DKSZCM) of the CPI (Maoist) and is joining the mainstream
along with him.
Entry into the Movement (CPI (ML) PWG)
➢ Chandu studied up to 2nd standard at the Government School in Thatikalaya
village. From 3rd to 5th standard, he studied at the Government High School at
Kolanupaka, Alair mandal, Bhongir district while residing at his maternal uncles’
house. During his early years, Chandu developed an interest in folk music and was
known for singing folk songs.
➢ In 1990, Chandu came into contact with the village campaign batches of the CPI
(ML) People’s War Group (PWG) during the summer and through them, met
Kranthi Ranadev, a city organizer. Subsequently, he also met late Gaddar in
Hyderabad and underwent Jana Natya Mandali (JNM) training at Chabala village in
Ananthapur district, where Mala Sanjeev @ Lengu (recently surrendered) was his
instructor.
➢ Inspired by late Gaddar’s revolutionary songs, he left his studies and began
working with the Jana Natya Mandali under Gundeboina Anjaiah @ Balanna in
Shamirpet area of Jangaon district.
➢ In 1993, Chandu was recruited into the Narsampet Dalam under the leadership of
late Somanna.
Rise in the Party Life
➢ From 1993 to 1999, Chandu worked in the Narsampet Dalam, during which he
was promoted to the rank of Area Committee Member (ACM) in 1995.
➢ In 1999, he was elevated to the position of Area Committee Secretary (ACS) and
appointed as Secretary of the Palakurthy Dalam.
➢ In January 2001, Chandu was transferred to the Dandakaranya (DK) region and
was assigned the responsibility of expanding the activities of the Chetna Natya
Manch (CNM).
➢ In 2002, he attended the All-India Cultural Workshop of CPI (ML) PWG conducted
in the Andhra–Orissa Border (AOB) area, where he was directed to promote the
CNM across all village-level units.
➢ In 2003, Chandu became a member of the Dandakaranya Cultural SubCommittee (DCSC), with Markam Gopanna working as its Secretary. In the same
year, he was promoted to the rank of Divisional Committee Member (DVCM).
➢ In 2007, Chandu was appointed as Secretary of the newly formed Korar Area
Committee in North Bastar.
➢ In 2008, he additionally worked as an organiser for the Jagdalpur Sub-Urban Area
and operated in the Lohandiguda region of Bastar district.
➢ In 2009, he was assigned additional responsibilities as Secretary of the newly
formed Barsur Area Committee. In the same year, he was promoted to the rank of
Regional Committee Member (RCM).
➢ In 2013, Chandu was transferred to the Maanpur Division and appointed as its InCharge, with Vijay working as the Division Secretary. During this period, he
operated in the Rajnandgaon plains to strengthen the organisation’s base until
2015.
➢ In 2015, he was promoted to the position of State Committee Member (SCM)
and appointed as Secretary of the Dandakaranya Cultural Sub-Committee (DCSC).
➢ From 2017 to 2019, Chandu worked as In-Charge of the East Bastar Division.
➢ Since 2019, he has been functioning as CNM In-Charge under the Dandakaranya
Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), primarily operating in the South Bastar region.
➢ In 2022, he was inducted as a member of the South Sub-Zonal Bureau and
subsequently appointed as a member of the Dandakaranya Secretariat in
2024.
He has been serving as the In-Charge of CNM in DKSZC and DK Secretariat
member.
Reasons for coming out of CPI (Maoist)
➢ Due to deteriorating eyesight, ideological differences and divisions within the
leadership and various formations of the CPI (Maoist) in recent times, Chandu
decided to dissociate from the organization and left CPI (Maoist) organization
along with his wife Thodem Ganga @ Sony, State Committee Member (SCM) to
rejoin the mainstream with government assistance.
➢ His decision reflects a conscious intent to step away from the organisation due to
health concerns and growing ideological differences. After spending several
decades in the underground movement, he now wishes to prioritize his well-being,
lead a normal life and live peacefully with his family by availing himself of the
rehabilitation measures extended by Telangana government. ) Thodam Ganga @ Gangavva @ Sony, age: 42 yrs, native of
Dharampeta village, Kistaram PS limits, Sukuma district,
Chhattisgarh, State Committee Member, Member in Janathana
Sarkar of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) and InCharge Janathana Sarkar, South Bastar DVC.
Early Life and Family Back ground
➢ Thodam Ganga @ Gangavva @ Sony is a native of Dharampeta village,
Kistaram PS limits, Sukuma district, Chhattisgarh state. She hails from Dorla Koya
(ST) Community. Her father Laxmaiah belonged to a farmer’s family and her
mother Chilaka died in her childhood. She had one brother and three sisters.
Marriage and Immediate Family
➢ Ganga married Mogilicherla Raju @ Erra Raju @ Chandu, a State Committee
Member (DKSZCM) of the CPI (Maoist), in May 2019. The marriage took place in
the Palagudem forest area of Pamed Police Station under the leadership of the late
Katakam Sudershan @ Anand, CCM.
Entry into the Movement
➢ Ganga is illiterate, as her native village, Dharampeta is a remote area that did not
have access to schooling during her childhood. Under the influence of Rajesh (now
arrested), the then Commander of the Gollapally Local Organising Squad (LOS),
she joined the Dandakaranya Adivasi Mahila Sangam (DKAMS), a front
organisation of the CPI (Maoist) in 2002. After six months of active participation,
she was elected as the President of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Mahila Sangam.
➢ In October 2004, when her parents and relatives attempted to compel her into
marriage, she decided to join the CPI (Maoist) as an underground (UG) cadre. She
was initially assigned to the Gollapally LOS under the Kistaram Area Committee
(AC) as a Party Member.
Rise in the Party Life
➢ In December 2004, the CPI (Maoist) floated the Janathana Sarkar Committee in
the Kistaram Area Committee (AC) and appointed Ganga as its vice President.
➢ In January 2006, she was promoted to the rank of Area Committee Member
(ACM) within the Kistaram AC.
➢ In June 2007, she was appointed as President of the Janathana Sarkar
Committee of Kistaram AC. During the same period, the CPI (Maoist) formed
Janathana Sarkar Divisional Committees and she was inducted as a Member of thJanathana Sarkar, South Bastar Divisional Committee under the Dandakaranya
Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC).
➢ In January 2012, Ganga was elevated to the position of Secretary of the
Kistaram Area Committee.
➢ In October 2012, during the South Bastar Divisional Committee (DVC) Plenum,
she was further elevated to the position of Divisional Committee Member (DVCM),
South Bastar DVC.
➢ In 2014, she was appointed as President of the Janathana Sarkar, South Bastar
DVC, succeeding Pothula Padmavathi @ Kalpana, Central Committee Member
(CCM) who had recently surrendered.
➢ In 2016, she was inducted as a Member of the Janathana Sarkar of the
Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC).
➢ In 2021, Ganga was promoted to the position of Secretariat Member of the South
Bastar Divisional Committee.
➢ In first quarter of 2024, Tippiri Tirupathi @ Devuji, Central Committee Member
(CCM), proposed her name for co-option into the State Committee Members’
panel, which was subsequently approved by the South Sub-Zonal Bureau.
➢ Since joining the CPI (Maoist), Ganga has been continuously working within the
Janathana Sarkar structure at various organisational levels.
Reasons for coming out of CPI (Maoist)
➢ Due to deteriorating health, Thodem Ganga decided to disassociate with the CPI
(Maoist) organization on health grounds and rejoin the mainstream with
government support.
➢ Her decision reflects a personal need to prioritize her well-being after decades of
underground life. She expressed her intention to lead a normal life, take care of
her health and live peacefully with his family by availing the rehabilitation
