“The observations made by the Minister using a public platform were just irresponsible. He is a Central Minister, who could access all the relevant information of the links he is talking about. Why he does not come up with proof and act against those political parties or leaders,” questioned Bharatiya Janata Party leader Saryu Roy.
Sharing the dais with Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, the outspoken Ramesh had put the political fraternity of the State in a tight spot with his scathing remark of them having ‘Naxal connection’.
Roy questioned Ramesh’s motive in bringing Saranda on hot seat without taking the State Government into confidence and blamed the Centre for taking meagre steps to deal with the menace of Left wing extremism.
The BJP, through a Press communiqué also condemned the remark.
“The Union Minister should clarify the role of the Congress party when he says that there is no Lakshman rekha between political parties and the ultras in Jharkhand. Party vice-president Deepak Prakash said that Union Ministers P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh have tried to put the Jharkhand Government in the dock in the last few months. Tours of these Ministers are more to show interest in politics of the State, rather than interest into development,” said the statement.
Notwithstanding the condemnation of the sweeping remark, some voices also found merit in it. A Congress leader, who was also present during the programme, supported the observation. “It is more or less true. All are unanimous that the Naxal menace is not law and order issue only, but a political one as well. Where this line ends, is really difficult to find out. Political parties and leaders garner support of the ultras. Even Special Branch (of police) has the list comprising names of political leaders (with Naxal connection),” he said but added that many of the leaders had no option but fall in line with the Reds considering their influence and supremacy. “Ramesh was probably not aware of the ground reality existing in Jharkhand,” said the Congressman.
Roy also admitted that there was no second thought about the politico-Naxal nexus. “No one can disown this fact. Many have such links. But those names should be pointed out specifically. Besides, this trend is not just confined to Jharkhand only. They isolate Jharkhand by naming it,” he said.
There are some who have no doubt about such links at individual levels but involving political parties into it is an exaggeration. “I have seen such things during the Assembly and Parliamentary polls. Everyone knows how candidates deal with Naxals for managing votes. It is also their compulsion given the security scenario here. But I think it is at individual level and not at party,” said social activist Ashok Bhagat.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
