Govt lacks will power to fight Naxals: BJP

With the Maoists striking once again, Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday accused the government of lacking "will power" to fight Naxals in a firm manner and suggested that all parties should be consulted on dealing with the challenge, which is assuming enormous proportions.

Condemning as "dastardly" the Jhargram train attack, BJP criticised the attitude of passing the buck between the Centre and states and questioned how many more lives would be lost before the government wakes up to deal with the situation.

"BJP strongly condemns the dastardly killing of a large number of passengers in the Maoist sponsored 'Black Week' in Jhargram. It is a clear case of sabotage by Maoists which led to this dastardly killing of so many passengers," BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He said the government should understand the enormity of the challenge. "It is high time the whole debate about limited mandate on the fight against Naxalism, of this being a Centre or a state subject and a law and order issue only must be closed once and for all. This ought to be treated as a serious national problem with requisite and firm response," he said.

Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said the Centre has more responsibility in dealing with Naxalism but it lacks "a strong and effective plan" to deal with the situation.

"Internal security is responsibility of the government. It is not a law and order problem," he said.

"The centre lacks will power and is in a demoralised state. This is a major concern," he said. Taking a swipe at the government, he said "mere saying zero-tolerance is not good enough, efforts should also become visible...There should be a strong policy to deal with the Naxalism."

He said the government should discuss with all political parties and seek their cooperation. To a question, he said, the government may convene an all-party meeting "but first they should have a plan. Mere formality of an all-party meeting will not be enough."

He said former Prime Minister Lal bahadur Shastri had sought cooperation in times of war and food crisis and all political parties had cooperated. "Why can't we have the same now?" he asked.