Accusing former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of nurturing Naxalism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday vowed to stamp out Maoism from the state in two years if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister for a third term after the Lok Sabha elections.
He told a public meeting in Korba that while Baghel's government kept promoting Naxalites, within just four months of BJP rule, 85 Naxalites had been killed and 350 had been arrested in the state.
Shah also mentioned the development works done under the leadership of Modi.
He said: “Due to relentless efforts by the Prime Minister in the last five years, Naxalism has been eliminated from Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. But because of Bhupesh Baghel’s government, Chhattisgarh was left out.
"If the people of the state make Modiji the Prime Minister for a third time, then Naxalism will be uprooted from the state in two years.”
He added: “Security forces showed bravery and 29 Naxalites were killed, but Bhupesh Kakka is shamelessly saying that it is a fake encounter. Even Naxalites accepted that they suffered a lot, but the Congress is not ready to accept it.
"To win the election, the Congress nurtured Naxalism and terrorism in the country for years. But now the people of Chhattisgarh need not worry because there is a BJP government in the state and the BJP is going to form the government at the Centre. And Naxalism will definitely be wiped out.” Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Cabinet Ministers Lakhan Lal Dewangan and Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Korba Lok Sabha candidate Dr. Saroj Pandey and other leaders were also present at the event. Speaking exclusively with The Pioneer, Saroj Pandey said: “For the all-round development of Korba, the Congress did nothing all these years. The dondition of the roads here is very pathetic. There’s no electricity and drinking water in rural areas. There’s not even a good hospital or school. Even today, women face several challenges which we need to address.”
Asking people to vote for the BJP candidate, Amit Shah said: “The people of Korba should make Sarojji victorious. The PM will himself take care of every village. Today Korba is known for the ‘Missing MP’, but once you choose Sarojji, she will come to your village and solve all your problems.”
