Janashakti refutes Ranadheer

HYDERABAD: A day after Janashakti''sKarimnagar district unit secretary Ranadheer claimed to have handed over Rs 1crore collected from the family of Marthanda Rao to the group''s stateleadership, a Janashakti spokesman on Monday clarified that Ranadheer had notobtained the party''s permission to kidnap Rao."It is a fact that theparty leadership has asked the Karimnagar district unit to send money topurchase weapons. But certainly, the party has not authorisedRanadheer to kidnap Marthanda Rao for that purpose," Janashakti spokesman M VPrasad told reporters here.Prasad clarified that Ranadheer sent onlyRs 50 lakh to the party state leadership as against Rs 2 crore collected fromthe family of Marthanda Rao and other sources in the district towards partyfund.The Janashakti spokesman also criticised the government fortrying to take mileage out of surrender of its 46 cadre onSunday."Ranadheer and other naxals gave up the underground life dueto political and disciplinary grounds, and surely not due to any monetarydisputes."According to Prasad, Ranadheer skipped the naxalitegroup''s scheduled meeting in Karimnagar, and went ahead with the Marthanda Raokidnap. Prasad also alleged that one of the surrendered naxalite, Suresh, calledhim from Vemulavada and asked him not to comment on the surrenderednaxals."We have decided to hold a press meet only on Sundayevening.How is it that Suresh, who headed for Vemulavada during the day, knowsabout the press conference within a few hours?" Prasad said, while pointing outthat the government is aiding the surrendered naxals.Prasad failedto give proper responses when asked why the group needs several crores ofrupees. He also failed to respond why Janashakti requires topurchase latest weapons, when it recognises an elected form of government and attimes, even participated in the elections. "It is a common practice for allrevolutionary parties to collect funds. Since we are not in aposition to attack police stations for weapons, we are purchasing them from armssmugglers," Prasad said.