Bastar(Chatisgarh), Nov 16 A top Maoist leader, Kadri Satyanarayan Rao alias Kosa has backed off from threatening Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Interacting with a private news channel from his hideout in the Dandakaranya region, Kosa said: "There is no such hit list. It is the work of intelligence agencies. If they don't make such false claims, how will they be relevant to the government."

Kosa is learnt to be of a higher rank in the Maoist cadre than Kishanji.

His claim is totally contrary to a statement issued by the Maoists in July this year, threatening to the life of Singh and Sonia Gandhi.

It is learnt that Union Government's preparation for anti Naxal operations across the Dandakaranya region and then a peace offer has sent mixed signals to the Maoists cadres.

On a dilemma he faces, Kosa said, "On the one hand the government is preparing to begin its anti-Naxal offensive from this very region. On the other, it's offering talks."

But sources say Naxals are keeping their options open.

Although preparing to take on the government's belligerence, the Naxals have now spelt out their political response as well.

"The government is lying. They are offering talks while amassing forces. We are going to resist and we will continue with our fight," Kosa said.

The Maoists believe the government is trying to bluff them into exposing themselves. (ANI)