Once enemy of democracy, ex-Maoist commander to vote in Gadchiroli Nov 20

NAGPUR: When Vilas Kolha stands in line to vote at a polling booth in Gadchiroli during the Maharashtra assembly elections on Nov 20, it will be another victory for democracy. He will be among 137 surrendered Maoists casting votes across three constituencies in Gadchiroli.

The ex-Maoist commander-in-chief of central India's stronghold in Abujmarh, carrying a record of 149 charges against him and a bounty of Rs 9.5 lakh, renounced extremism three years ago and became a staunch advocate of democracy. He first cast his ballot during 2024 LS polls. Kolha joined Maoists after his mother was branded a witch and nearly lynched. Since his surrender in 2021, he has told authorities how he once led People's Liberation Guerrilla Army in attacks to disrupt polls, sabotaging booths & ambushing officials.

Kolha used to lay traps for poll parties, detonate explosives

"Once dedicated to undermining elections, Kolha's story now represents a powerful shift," said Gadchiroli SP Neelotpal, under whom 21 Maoists have surrendered, 54 have been arrested, and 33 gunned down over the past two years. Kolha, an IED expert and the only guerrilla to surrender with an AK-47, once led PLGA fighters in laying traps for polling parties and detonating explosives in the dense forests.

Sources said Kolha held meetings in remote villages, urging tribal villagers to boycott elections, and organising violent campaigns to prevent politicians from entering these hamlets. He had also planned assassinations and destroyed EVMs to derail elections. He is now settled in Navjeevan Vasahaat and works as a driver for Lloyds Khonsari Steel Plant - a project he once opposed as a Maoist. Kolha and other former fighters have found new livelihoods through these local industrial jobs.

"Surrendered Maoists are now campaigning to negate disruptive ideologies and supporting elected govts for the development of their land," said Neelotpal.