NDA cites fall in Naxalism; Opposition flags deeper issues

New Delhi: NDA and Opposition benches on Monday clashed over the government's push to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism, with the treasury benches highlighting the steep decline in violence and the Opposition cautioning against "premature celebration" and stressing deeper socio-economic remedies.

Initiating the debate, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde credited the NDA government with shrinking the "red corridor" and transforming it into a "growth corridor". He attacked the previous UPA regime for "lack of political will" and "policy paralysis". Echoing the government stance, TDP MP Byreddy Shabari, who said she lost family members to Naxal violence, remarked, "There were highest number of Naxal attacks during the Congress rule..." BJP's Sambit Patra drew a contrast between the two regimes.

The Opposition, however, pushed back, underscoring both past efforts and the need for a balanced approach. Congress members cited measures such as Operation Green Hunt and the creation of CoBRA forces while arguing that welfare and security must go hand in hand. SP's Dharmendra Yadav acknowledged a "substantial decline" in Naxal activity but said the country was "not yet free" of the problem and advocated dialogue-based solutions. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi struck a cautionary note, saying: "Sirf bandook rakh dene se extremism khatam nahi hota."