Coming out in support of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, home minister P Chidambaram today said she was not "soft" on Maoists as being projected and her views do not affect the government's policies towards Naxals.
"She has not been soft on Maoists. Her argument is that Maoists and Marxists have been collaborators in the past. Why should I comment on her argument?" he said during an interaction with journalists at Indian Women's Press Corps in New Delhi.
He said Banerjee has made it clear that she has no truck with Maoists. "She condemns their violence and doesn't support
their burning of train tracks".
Chidambaram said Banerjee's views do not affect the three-pronged policy adopted by the Centre which is assisting the state governments in establishing civil administration, holding talks with Maoists if they give up violence and providing funds for development.
"On these three elements which are part of our policy, there is no dissent in the government," he added.
Explaining his offer of talks to Maoists if they abjure violence, the home minister said he has not asked them to lay down arms or disband their organisation.
"I have said give up violence for 72 hours, give me 72 hours to consult everyone and respond to your giving up violence and we will find a way out," he said.
On Jharkhand government's decision to let go some women Maoist cadre in return for the release of a BDO kidnapped by Naxals, he said it is for the state authorities to decide what needs to be done to secure the release of the official.
"If it is the judgement of that government to release some low-level Maoist women cadre...that is the judgement the government makes. I cannot be second guessing everything the state government decides, Chidambaram said adding "so be it".
"The Bengal government also released some (Maoists) by giving them bail. These are issues which are best left to the state government," he said.
Arguing that the sudden spurt in Naxal violence was due to the government's decision to crack down on them, he said "as long as we didn't engage them, they were happy, they kept on expanding their base. They will continue to expand unless we challenge them".
He said Maoists will try every trick in the book to gain support among the people. "They will seduce the media, unleash false charges and widen their circle of influence".
"Most people think there is a compromise or a mid-way approach. That is most naive," the home minister said.
"The most difficult challenge is finding well-trained and well-equipped police personnel," he said.
Admitting that there were police excesses in certain areas of Maoist dominance, the Home Minister said "I will hold the state government accountable if they commit excesses."
"We must take control of Maoist areas and then ensure development," he said.
"The troops have been told you don't fire till you are fired upon. The objective is only to reach the areas," he added.
