L K Advani's praise for Shivraj Singh Chouhan not criticism of others: Uma Bharti

CHHATARPUR (MP): BJP vice-president Uma Bharti has said that the praise showered by party veteran L K Advani on Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan cannot be "construed" as criticism of other leaders.

"The praise for one person cannot be construed as criticism of others", Uma said in response to a query on Advani's remarks at a press conference held here last evening.

Advani had lauded Chouhan for lifting the state from poverty. The remarks were perceived as a snub to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi whose projection as the party's prime ministerial candidate is the matter of intense speculation.

Responding to a query on naxalism, the former chief minister said that the prevailing conditions in Bundelkhand region, some districts of which fall in Madhya Pradesh, provide the much-needed ground for the Maoist insurgency to take root.

"Poverty, exploitation and injustice are responsible for the growth of naxalism in any area. When the poor and tribals get a forum to speak against these things and they are resolved then naxalism does not grow", she said, adding that insurgency typically starts taking roots in the region where voice of common people is suppressed.

Uma said that naxalism grew in neighbouring Chhattisgarh only after the death of union leader Shankar Guha Niyogi, the founder of Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha in 1991.