Soren goes soft on Maoists, BJP embarrassed

The BJP appeared embarrassed over reports that Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren had quietly called off anti-Naxalite operations in the state.

Top sources in the party told DNA that senior leaders in the party will be speaking to Soren on the matter.

“The BJP has consistently taken a very strong anti-Naxalite stand both at the national level and in states where they are in government such as Chhattisgarh. In such a situation, this report has embarrassed the party,” said a source.

The BJP formed the government with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in the state as a post electoral tie up. The party had consistently attacked Soren for various criminal cases registered against him.

The eagerness of the party to form a government in the state had led them to dismiss its earlier inhibitions. The latest move by Soren, however, will be difficult to live down.

“BJP was the first party to attack then home minister Shivraj Patil when he had agreed to lift the ban on certain Naxalite outfits in Andhra Pradesh. They had always maintained that this had given the Naxalites enough time to regroup. In Chhattisgarh, the party had supported the Salwa Judum and had incarcerated Dr Binayak Sen for sympathising with the Naxalites. In such a situation, Soren’s views are untenable,” said the source.

Soren’s alleged soft approach towards the Naxalites has been attributed to the fact that he had their support in the recent state assembly elections. What has embarrassed the party more is that Soren’s move allegedly has the support of deputy chief minister and BJP leader Raghuvar Das as well.

“We will be speaking to Soren on the matter, this is serious, we take this seriously,” said the source.