Saturday, September 3 2005 19:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: After differing with the Congress Government on handling of Naxalites issue, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) supremo and Union Labor Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao caused further embarrassment to Andhra Pradesh Government when he called on former Naxalites emissary Varavara Rao at a jail in Hyderabad today (Sept 3, 2005).

Rao, who had arrived from Delhi yesterday night (Sept 2, 2005), drove to Chanchalguda prison where the Maoist ideologue is lodged and spent about 30 minutes with him.

The TRS Chief had earlier condemned imposition of ban on Communist Party of India (CPI) (Maoist) and its front organizations and demanded resumption of peace talks with Maoists and putting an end to combing operations.

His meeting with Varavara Rao, a member of the now banned Revolutionary Writers' Association (VIRASAM), raised many an eyebrow in ruling Congress circles, signaling further strain in the relations between the two pre-poll allies.

The revolutionary writer, who had played a key role as Naxalites emissary during the first ever peace talks in October last year, was arrested last month following imposition of ban on his organization along with six other front outfits of Maoists.

By calling on the ailing Maoist ideologue, Rao apparently wants to send a signal to Naxalites that he was ready to take up their cause.

The tactical move came in the backdrop of political parties gearing up for the municipal elections, slated for Sept 24.