Violence would achieve nothing: Rajnath

Raipur, Aug 29: Appealing to Indian Maoists to return to the mainstream on the lines of their counterparts in Nepal, BJP President Rajnath Singh today said violence would achieve nothing.

''Maoist leader Prachanda, who is now Nepal's Premier, realised that guns cannot bring about change. The democratic process was chosen in Nepal and the ballot preferred over the bullet,'' he said while addressing a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Chhattisgarh-level Sankalp Rally here.

Mr Singh claimed that the state government firmly confronted the rebels sans receiving adequate assistance from the Centre.

''The agitation underway for the past 50 days in Jammu over the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board land issue will have full support of the BJP that will make it a pan-India agitation. Those waving Pakistan's National Flag in the Valley should be identified and charged with treason,'' he said.

Accusing the Centre's United Progressive Alliance regime of failing to control separatist and terrorist elements, Mr Singh added that it was shameful to indulge in votebank politics while turning Nelson's eye on forces weakening the nation.

''The BJP will never allow the Ram Sethu to be demolished,'' he said while expressing concern over the price rise.

UNI