New Delhi, April 09: Continuing its support to Home Minister P Chidambaram in the fight against naxalism, BJP today said in a resolution on the Dantewada attack that while his ministry had changed its approach the government still lacked unanimity on the issue.
BJP had pledged its complete support to the government in “whatever strong measures” it took in the fight against naxalism when reports of the Chhattisgarh attack, in which 76 CRPF and state police personnel were killed, came in.
Though initially the principal opposition took potshots at Chidambaram for his “buck stops at the Chief Minister’s table” statement, it admitted there was a perceptible change in the Home Ministry’s functioning since he took over from Shivraj Patil.
“While Maoist grew many folds during the 2004-09 (mostly Patil’s tenure) period, the Central government was a silent spectator. Even post-2009 when the Home Ministry tried to change its approach, there was no unanimity in the government,” the BJP resolution, passed at its office-bearers’ meeting today, said.
Chidambaram took over as Home Minister on Nov 30, 2008.
The unanimity in government is a reference to some “sections of UPA (which) have made Maoist friendly noises in some states”. The resolution cites West Bengal as an example.
Giving Chidambaram suggestions, the BJP resolution said, “Today the intelligence network of the government in relation to the Maoist activity is minimal. The paramilitary forces have to be strengthened, modernised and equipped with adequate fire power under a time bound programme.”
Chidambaram had reached out to the opposition in the past in fighting naxalism.
When Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren was dilly-dallying on the Centre’s anti-Maoist drive in the state, Chidambaram took the services of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley.
Party sources said Jaitley not only convinced Soren, he asked BJP leader and Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Raghubar Das to ensure the Centre’s orders were complied with.
Chidambaram had praised Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh for his co-operation in the fight against Maoists.
–PTI–