"Peace talks alone won't help us achieve our goal. We will continue our armed struggle against exploiters and oppressors," People's War Andhra Pradesh state committee secretary Ramakrishna said in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Speaking at the meet-the-press programme arranged by AP Union of Working Journalists, Ramakrishna, however, hastened to add that he was hopeful that the talks will succeed in finding solutions to some pressing problems confronting the people.
"We have come forward for peace talks, keeping in view the people's aspirations. The Congress government has extended us the invitation and taken some steps to restore democratic functioning. We have put forth some political demands. Land to the landless and reversal of World Bank-dictated policies are among the 11 issues listed in our agenda for the talks," he said.
He said that it was not correct to view the ensuing peace talks as a trial of strength. Both the sides have come forward for the talks, not from a position of strength or weakness but to fulfill the people's aspirations. It was to find solutions to the longstanding problems of the people that both the Naxalites and the government wanted to have the dialogue.
Replying to a question, Ramakrishna said that the there was no change in the party's decision to wage a protracted armed struggle to liberate the country from the exploitative classes.
There was no question of surrendering arms or giving up the party's ideological goals. "We won't give up armed struggle. We don't believe that we can liberate the suffering masses in the country without an armed struggle," he said.
Referring to separate Telangana issue, Ramakrishna said that the People's War was in support of the people's demand for a separate Telangana state.
However, a democratic Telangana (free from the tentacles of feudal elements) cannot be conceded by YSR Government or achieved by the efforts of TRS. Such a state can be achieved only through a struggle by the PWG.
Asked what the People's War would do after the contemplated three rounds of peace talks are completed, he said that they will seek the implementation of the solutions thrashed out at the talks so that the people get some relief from their sufferings.