Thippiri Tirupathi, also known by his alias Devuji, has been appointed as the new General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), succeeding Nambala Keshava Rao (alias Basavaraj), who was killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh in May 2025. This appointment marks a significant shift in the party's leadership, as Tirupathi becomes the first Dalit to hold the top position in the Maoist organization.

Tirupathi hails from Korutla in Telangana's erstwhile Karimnagar district. Born into the Madiga caste community, he has been an active member of the Maoist movement for several decades. Prior to his elevation to the General Secretary position, Tirupathi served as the head of the party's Central Military Commission, overseeing military operations and strategic planning.

The appointment is seen as a historic development within the CPI (Maoist), reflecting a potential shift in the organization's internal dynamics. Analysts suggest that Tirupathi's rise to power could influence the party's approach to leadership and its engagement with various communities.

The CPI (Maoist) remains a banned organization in India, designated as a terrorist group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Indian government continues to monitor and counter the activities of the group through various security and intelligence measures.