Maoists in Bihar ideologically weak: Sharad Yadav

PATNA - Maoists in Bihar are ideologically weak, Janata Dal-United (JD -U) chief Sharad Yadav said on Wednesday.

“The ultras in Bihar are pseudo-Maoists, and carry out their nefarious activities in the name of Maoists. They are certainly not very ideologically strong. The actual Maoists are based in other parts of the nation, such as Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The cadres operating from Bihar are not Maoists in the real sense of the term,” said Yadav.

Yadav’s comments came as the Maoists issued threats and pasted posters in many districts of Bihar, warning the locals of dire consequences, if they practice their right to vote during the ongoing polls in the state.

Maoists have been termed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as India’s gravest internal security threat, and they have spread into rural pockets in 20 of India’s 28 states.

Initially, the Maoists contended they are fighting for the cause of poor and weaker sections of the society. However, over the past two decades, they have resorted to violent guerilla warfare targeting state machinery.

Meanwhile, highlighting the JD(U) mandate of promoting development during the ongoing provincial polls, Yadav slammed the federal ruling Congress party for keeping the region economically backwards and poorly developed.

“Our main focus is development. We are passionate about promoting development in the state…the federal ruling Congress party has been in power since the past 45 years, and now they are claiming they would develop Bihar…I just ask one thing: Were they sleeping since the past 45 years?” said Yadav.

Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, is presently in the process of electing a new provincial government.

Development is one of the key poll issues that are being raised by most parties active in the state.

he six-phase polls for 243 seats began from October 21 and will conclude on November 20 while the counting of votes will takeplace on November 24. (ANI)