Gadchiroli, Feb. 23 -- Former CPI (Maoist) leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu Bhupathi has appealed to Maoist cadres still operating in the jungles to lay down arms, saying they have to be alive to realities and cannot remain trapped in dogma.

Admitting failures, he stated that the time has come for those involved in armed struggle to return to the mainstream and work among the people.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with ANI, Sonu Bhupathi, who surrendered on October 15, 2025, along with 60 members of the outlawed People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), said changing ground realities have made continued "armed struggle" impractical and urged remaining cadres to follow the same path.

"I served as a Central Committee member...