Raipur, May 19: T.S. Singh Deo, former Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and Congress leader, has responded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on the decline of Naxalism, Prime Minister Modi’s foreign trips, and the rising fuel prices.
In reaction to Shah’s statement about the reduction of Naxalism across the country, Singh Deo remarked, “As the Home Minister, he is either trying to boost public morale or misrepresenting the reality.”
He pointed out a recent media report about a letter from Naxalites claiming betrayal and indicating their intention to continue dialogues. Singh Deo emphasized that Shah had set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to eradicate Naxalism completely, which has now passed. “I do not believe that all Naxalites have integrated into the mainstream,” he added.
Addressing the statistics regarding police encounters in Uttar Pradesh, Singh Deo stated that implementing a bulldozer policy would inevitably have adverse effects on society. “You are working above the law; this needs to be avoided. What greater failure can there be in a democratic system?”
He reflected on a time when power was so centralized that individuals acted as they pleased, often at the expense of public welfare. “A legal framework is essential. Democracy was chosen so that no individual holds absolute power; the country must be governed by laws provided by the Constitution. If you choose to operate outside the law, even with claims of public benefit, it ultimately disrupts societal order.”
Singh Deo also criticized Prime Minister Modi’s foreign trips, suggesting that while leaders have obligations, the outcomes often result in the U.S. dictating where India should procure goods. “If the results of PM Modi’s foreign tours are such, where is the benefit for the country?”
He further noted that if Indians are sent back from the U.S. in handcuffs and shackles, the benefits of dialogue are questionable. “If India cannot source crude oil from Iran and Russia is raising prices, what advantages are we gaining from these foreign visits?”
On the issue of rising fuel prices, Singh Deo expressed concern during an interview with a news agency, stating that the situation is alarming and could worsen. “Everyone knows that ships cannot exit the Strait of Hormuz with crude oil. The reserves stored in the country have nearly been depleted.”
He warned that the stock saved for tough times is no longer sufficient. “If India cannot find alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil prices will rise further. The government’s failure lies not in the increase of petrol and diesel prices but in its inability to secure crude oil supplies. The Indian government has disrupted and limited relations with other countries, which is why we are struggling to obtain crude oil.”
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