The Andhra Pradesh opposition has criticised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's proposal to provide arms licences to Telugu Desam Party cadres and others to counter the threat from the People's War.
Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samithi leaders said the decision smacked of irresponsibility.
The Congress even contemplated lodging a complaint with the election commission against Naidu's "sinister designs".
"Naidu's call for arming ordinary people and Telugu Desam cadres portends danger," Congress spokesman K Rosaiah said. "It creates a civil war situation even while exposing the inefficiency of the government in maintaining law and order."
Congress legislature party leader Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy criticised Naidu for creating anarchy in the state in the name of fighting naxalites. "It is unfortunate that after ruling the state for nine long years, Chandrababu Naidu has failed to maintain law and order. Everyone is suspicious of his intentions," he said.
"Is it proper for the caretaker government to make such a proposal at the time of elections?" Rosaiah asked. "It is aimed at deriving political mileage by helping TDP men use guns against their political rivals to gain advantage in the polls. The idea seems to be born out of frustration rather than careful thinking."
TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao came down heavily on Naidu. "This shows that Naidu is insecure and scared of defeat in the forthcoming elections. He is resorting to false propaganda against the opposition to avoid a debate on the issue," he said.
Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary B V Raghavulu said that instead of giving arms to the people, the government should give jobs to the unemployed to wean them away from the naxalite movement.
The opposition leaders said the issue of naxalism could only be solved through talks, and not guns.
Meanwhile, the CM stuck to his guns. "It is only a proposal," he said. "Let the people debate it. If the proposal finds favour with the public, the government will have no objection to implementing the scheme."
The government will examine the question of giving weapons to some members of grama rakshak dalams (village defence squads) on a priority basis, he added. "Since the arms are expensive, the government will consider giving them at cheaper rates to commoners on demand. I am convinced that people require weapons to face naxalites. The idea is practical and feasible but the modalities have to be worked out," he added.
Commercial Taxes Minister K Vijayarama Rao also defended the idea. "This was done in 1948 [when the communists led the Telangana armed struggle]. There is nothing wrong in giving weapons to people as every individual has the right to protect himself," he added.