Congress failed to control Naxals: PM

The Congress government in Chhattisgarh is corrupt and failed to tackle Maoism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, as he accused the Opposition of insulting backward communities and asserted that only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protected the interests of marginalised castes.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu, Ritesh Mishra and Ranjan

Speaking in three separate poll rallies in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, the PM accused the Congress of insulting other backward classes (OBCs) in their eagerness to abuse him, and blamed dynastic politics for holding back the development of weaker castes. He also promised that the next chief minister of Telangana would be from the OBC community if the BJP won the November 30 polls.

Speaking first in north Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur, which votes on November 17, Modi alleged that the Congress government had failed to contain Maoism. “Whenever the Congress comes to power in the country, terrorists and Maoists get emboldened. News of bomb blasts and murders are reported, and wherever the Congress is in power, there is the rule of crime and loot,” Modi said.

Pointing to the deaths of at least five BJP workers this year, killed by alleged Maoists, Modi said, “Just recently, our party workers were snatched from us. A few days ago, our colleague (party leader) was shot dead...do you want to live under the shadow of bombs and guns? No matter how much money you have, if your son doesn’t return home in the evening and his body comes home, then what is that money worth?”

Modi’s comments came on a day when parts of Chhattisgarh and Mizoram went to the polls in the first phase of the assembly elections.

Modi said the office of Baghel — who is battling allegations of irregularities linked with the Mahadev betting app — was the hub of corruption in the state. He targeted Baghel with the slogan “30 take kakka, khule aam satta” (30% commission uncle, open betting). Baghel is often referred to as “kaka” in the state.