A sharp political war of words has erupted over claims of eliminating Naxalism in India, with Priyanka Chaturvedi stating that no single government can take full credit for tackling Left-Wing Extremism.
Speaking amid the ongoing debate, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said the fight against Naxalism has been a long and continuous effort spanning multiple governments. She argued that actions against Naxal groups began years ago and cannot be attributed to one regime alone. According to her, attempting to claim sole credit for such a complex issue is “unfortunate” and ignores the contributions made over time.
Her remarks came as the political temperature rose following statements by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who recently asserted that India is close to becoming free of Naxalism and credited the current government for major progress.
Joining the attack, Congress leader Manickam Tagore strongly rejected allegations made by Amit Shah that previous Congress governments had protected Naxal elements. Tagore defended his party, saying it had paid a heavy price in the fight against insurgency, including the loss of several leaders.
He also criticised the tone of the Home Minister’s speech, claiming it was more political than administrative. Tagore said that the real credit for weakening Naxalism should go to the country’s security forces rather than political leaders, accusing the government of turning a serious national security issue into a political narrative.
The controversy escalated further after Amit Shah launched a direct attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. Shah alleged that Rahul Gandhi had, over the years, shown sympathy towards Naxal-linked narratives and pointed to a social media post related to protests where slogans supporting a Maoist figure were raised.
He went on to accuse the Congress party’s ideology of contributing to decades of violence, claiming that thousands of lives have been lost due to Naxalism since the 1970s.
The heated exchange comes in the backdrop of the government’s ambitious goal to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism under its “Naxal-free India” mission by March 31, 2026. The issue has now turned into a major political flashpoint, with both sides accusing each other of misrepresenting facts.
As the debate intensifies, the larger question remains whether the fight against Naxalism should be viewed as a political achievement or a collective national effort involving governments, security forces, and policy continuity over decades.
