SUMMARY
The CPI-ML-J (Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist-Janasakhti faction; alternatively CPI-ML-Rajanna, or Rajanna Group) was a an armed left-wing rebel group that fought an intrastate armed conflict over government against the Government of India (see India: Government). The primary goal of the CPI-ML-J was to overthrow the Indian government and replace it with a Marxist regime.
The group was created on 30 July 1992 following the merger of seven communist groups. As indicated by its name, the CPI-ML-J adhered to Marxist-Leninist ideology, and belonged to what was usually referred to as India’s “Naxalite” movements, which comprised various armed left-wing guerillas. Ideology-wise, the CPI-ML-J had many similarities to CPI-Maoist. The seven factions that created the CPI-ML-J had all split from the original CPI-ML (Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist) because it was perceived as insufficiently revolutionary, and too accommodative towards the larger ruling parties in India. In the early years of its existence, the group combined a mainstream political and revolutionary agenda. For example, it successfully won one seat in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1994, and it set up its own trade union and peasant organization.
Koora Rajanna was the CPI-ML-J’s “State Secretary” until he was replaced by Jagadish, following accusations that he had misused the group’s funds. It has not been possible to establish at what exact point Jagadish became the group’s leader. While it was not known whether the CPI-ML-J maintained a separate armed wing, its cadre strength was estimated to have been between 250 and 300.
The CPI-ML-J primary area of operation was the state of Andhra Pradesh, and particularly the Telengana region; the group also maintained some presence in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh states. One of the group’s primary sources of income was various forms of extortion and “tax collection”.
The group suffered several splits, the first one being the exit of a faction known as CPI-ML Unity Initiative Kanu Sanyal faction. Soon after that, the CPI-ML-J splintered into seven different factions, one of which was the “Rajanna faction” which continued to function as the “original” CPI-ML-J. The group suffered another split in 2003, following the accusations that Rajanna was abusing group funds; a faction led by senior leaders M.V. Prasad and Raghavulu opted to join the CPI-ML-Ramachandran. Several minor splits took place also after this.
Prior to the 2004 parliamentary elections, the CPI-ML-J issued a joint statement with fellow-Naxalite groups PWG and MCC that they would boycott the elections. In 2004, attempts were made by the CPI-ML-J and CPI-Maoist to merge. Despite some initial success, this coalition broke down in 2006 after the CPI-ML-J refrained from attending a CPI-Maoist open session where it was asked to account for its political aims; following this, the CPI-Maoist withdrew CPI-ML-J’s partnership status. It has not been possible to establish any other links between the group and other armed actors.
