Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 6: A heated debate erupted in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday as the BJP accused the Congress-led state government of playing politics over the sudden surrender of Naxals. BJP leaders questioned the swiftness of the surrenders and warned against underestimating the threat of Naxalism.
BJP MLA and general secretary V Sunil Kumar, speaking during the discussion on the Governor’s address, expressed concerns about the surrender process. He stated, “I come from a Naxal-affected region and have witnessed the impact of their violence firsthand. The sudden surrender of Naxals raises serious questions.”
Kumar emphasized that he was not against the surrenders but questioned the manner in which they took place. “How did this happen overnight? The Naxals, who could not be traced during combing operations, suddenly appeared after a tweet by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Who is truly running the administration?” he asked.
He recounted the brutal killing of BJP worker Sheshappa Gowda by Naxals, highlighting the severity of the threat. “When such atrocities have occurred, how can the government claim to resolve the issue so easily?”
Former home minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra echoed similar concerns, questioning the credibility of the surrender process. “We searched extensively during my tenure but couldn’t find them. How did a mere tweet lead to their surrender?” he asked.
In response, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao dismissed the allegations and questioned the BJP’s stance. “What do you want? Should the violence continue? Naxals have surrendered in many states, including Karnataka. Do you not want Naxalism to end?” he retorted.
Rao defended the government’s actions, stating that the surrender process was not an endorsement of Naxalism but a step towards peace. “There have been instances of former Naxals joining the mainstream and serving as representatives of the people,” he added.
On January 8, six Maoists, including individuals from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, surrendered in the presence of chief minister Siddaramaiah. The government had then declared Karnataka a Left Wing Extremism-free state.
However, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra labeled the surrender event as a ‘sheer act of drama’, adding to the growing political tension over the issue.
With both parties standing firm on their positions, the debate over the handling of Naxal surrenders is expected to continue, reflecting the deep political divide on this sensitive issue.