Amit Shah: Talks on with only active top Maoist

It was the Naxalites who were responsible for the lack of development, he said.Replying to a discussion in Lok Sabha on the “efforts to free the country from Left-wing extremism”, Shah hailed police forces of states and CRPF’s CoBRA (Commando Battalions for Resolute Action) for heroically taking on the Naxal challenge.However, he laid equal stress on what he called the political will of the Modi government, suggesting that the change of the UPA government was a turning point.Shah alleged that the leader of the opposition in the LS, Rahul Gandhi, had shared public space with Naxals and their sympathisers on many occasions, and Naxal outfits had joined his Bharat Jodo Yatra. He said that during a protest at India Gate, slogans in favour of Naxal leader Hidma, who was killed by police, were raised, and Rahul Gandhi had posted that video on social media.Shah claimed the national advisory council of Sonia Gandhi under the UPA governement had members associated with Naxalites, and accused then Congress minister Jairam Ramesh of writing to the state for the release of Mahest Raut, a PM rural development fellow, who was arrested for Naxal links.He also mentioned the inclusion of Binayak Sen — known for being “pro-Naxal” — in the Planning Commission under UPA, and claimed that Congress had itself become Naxal by being with Maoists. Shah said the Modi govt follows the policy of “bullet for bullet” with those who don’t surrender, and the benefits of development are being taken to homes in Bastar.He said 20,000 youths were killed, and many were disabled because of Naxalism, and ex-PM Manmohan Singh had called it the biggest internal security problem.Shah put eradication of Naxalism alongside resolution of “pending issues” like removal of Article 370, construction of Ram Temple, enactment of GST and CAA, and women’s reservation.He said if lack of development was the reason for Maoism, then many other places could have become Naxal-affected.

Author: TNN

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