BJP had no say in publication of naxal list: K'taka CM
Bangalore, June 27 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today denied that coalition partner BJP had any say in the publication of the list of naxalites belonging to CPI(Maoists) active in the state, along with their photographs.
The state police had for the first time, come out with a list of 26 'hardcore' naxals and conceded that the movement had taken roots after being noticed in 2001. It had published the names along with photographs of insurgents, supporters and sympathisers operating in the forests of the Western ghat districts of Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Udupi.
Speaking to mediapersons after inaugurating a conference of senior police officers here, Mr Kumaraswamy denied allegations that there was pressure from the BJP while the list was prepared.
Stating that the government would not tolerate any activities under the banner of progressive organisations in support of naxalites, the Chief Minister ruled out his intervention in the issue of publication of the list. ''The state government will not mount pressure on the state police either to delete or modify the list,'' he stated.
Karnataka Home minister M P Prakash, who had earlier publicly objected to the publication of certain organisations and individuals in the list, denied allegations that the BJP had an influence in preparing the list. ''There is no question of meddling with the duties of the state police in removing the names of certain individuals and organisations from the list,'' he clarified.
UNI