Naxalism is losing ground: Rajnath Singh
Ambikapur, May 21: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that Naxalism is shrinking and losing ground although it still poses a challenge.
Singh, who was inspecting the passing out parade of the 261 Bastariya Battalion here in Chhattisgarh, also said that the casualties among security forces had gone down by almost 55 per cent.
"Naxalism is a challenge but I want to say that this menace is now shrinking and is losing ground," he said.
Singh said that Maoists do not want development as they know that if development takes place, "their sinister plan will never succeed".
"Many (Maoist) leaders have made a lot of money through illegal activities. Our government will unearth this ill-gotten wealth.
"We have decided that all those Left Wing Extremist leaders who have earned money by using poor people and manipulating their innocence will be punished," Singh said.
Congratulating the CRPF and the state police for controlling the geographical expanse of Maoists by 40 to 45 per cent, he said: "The success we have achieved in our fight in Chhattisgarh is due to good coordination between the state police and CRPF."
He told the CRPF troopers that "your family is our family. We will stand by you" at all times.
"The CRPF through its dedication, talent, courage and commitment has earned the great respect of the people of the country. Even in Kashmir along with the Army, they are fighting the terrorists with great courage and conviction.
"The constitution of Bastariya Battalion is a well-considered decision. We have relaxed the several norms to induct young men and women from Bastar region into this battalion.
"I want to tell the people of Chhattisgarh that their development is our top most priority and we will ensure all possible help that is needed to take the development of the state to new heights," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Parameshwara rules out internal differences in Congress in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Ruling out any internal differences in the ruling Congress in Karnataka, senior party leader and Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said there may be certain minor differences of opinion, but there are no major issues or confusions within.
He also said that his absence in Delhi where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and several senior Ministers are camping and plan to meet party high command, is not because of any disgruntlement. Even though he agreed he was not invited to Karnataka Bhavan inauguration in Delhi, he said it is not too important to attend it.
"Where is the internal difference? I myself don't know. You (media) may be creating certain things and speaking. There is no difference among us. Congress is in power and we are running the administration and are implementing programmes," Parameshwara said.
Responding to a question whether there will be an end to internal differences in the Congress with the Chief Minister meeting party senior leader Rahul Gandhi and other central leaders in Delhi, he further said, "There may be minor difference of opinion, it will naturally be there, but it cannot be called an issue or confusion."
CM Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi early on Thursday.
The meeting is seen as a significant one in the backdrop of power tussle in the ruling Congress and speculations about the change in Chief Minister's post later this year. Shivakumar and Parameshwara are seen as the major contenders for the post.
Party sources said that issues like demand to replace Shivakumar from the post of state congress chief, honey-trap attempts as alleged by Minister K N Rajanna might have taken up for discussion as well.
Responding to a question on speculations within the party including the one about changing state Congress President, Parameshwara, who held the post in the past said, "Some want change, some want the same person to continue. It was the same thing when I held the post and when my first term ended, high command called all the state leaders and spoke to them, and then I was asked to continue."
Deputy CM Shivakumar is currently on an extension in the KPCC President post.
Asked whether his opinion has been sought by AICC regarding the developments in the state unit and nominations for vacant MLC posts, the Home Minister said, no one has sought any opinion and there has been no discussion in this regard.
"My opinion is not important, with the passage of time things keep changing. With the flow of fresh water, old water has to flow forward. You interpret however you want," he said when reporters tried to elicit his response on whether his opinion is being considered by the party while making decisions.
Parameshwara said he was not invited for the inauguration of the reconstructed Karnataka Bhavan building -1 'Cauvery' on Wednesday evening, but ruled out any disgruntlement.
Noting that he was the one who had laid the foundation for the Karnataka Bhavan, as the then Deputy Chief Minister, he said, "I don't know, no one has invited me. How to go to the event in Delhi without any invite? So I did not go..."
He however also said that he did not find the event to be that important for him to attend. "Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and PWD Minister were already there and I don't feel that I too should be there. I felt it was not necessary to attend."
Rejecting any difference with Shivakumar as the reason for skipping the event in Delhi and Siddaganga Math event in Tumakuru, he said, "I can even now go to his house immediately if needed. We don't have any such things, we are very good friends."
