Blaming the Left Front government’s wrong policies for the emergence of the Maoist problem in the state, Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday asked the rebels to abjure violence and come to the negotiation table. Addressing an election rally at Burrabazar in Bandwan police station area of Purulia district for Congress
candidate Sital Chandra Hembram, Mr Mukherjee said the Left Front government was responsible for lack of development in the Jangalmahal.
“There had been little development here. There are no roads, schools and no basic amenities,” he added.
He pointed out that the Maoists had succeeded in spreading their network in the tribal areas taking advantage of the poverty and lack of development. Claiming that the Maoists were misguided youth, he asked them to give up arms and invited them to hold unconditional talks with the government for redressal of their grievances.
“The Prime Minister and the Union home minister have also urged them to come to negotiation table,” he added. Mr Mukherjee expressed his disapproval of the Maoist call for vote boycott. “This will weaken democracy,” he added. Mr Mukherjee addressed another rally in Santhaldih of Purulia for party candidate Umapada Bauri.