Any surprise @RahulGandhi is supporting #UrbanNaxals? Cong has openly supported Naxals in the past. Before 2004 Andhra Assembly polls, Cong took support of Naxals to dethrone TDP. After coming to power in Andhra Pradesh on 11 May, Congress lifted ban on Naxals on 22 July 2004(1)
After Cong Govt of Andhra Pradesh lifted ban on them on 22 July 2004, Naxals did a massive show of strength in Hyderabad on 30 September 2004. rediff.com/news/2004/sep/… The ban was lifted, of course, in lieu of support to Congress given by Naxals before the elections. (2)
But on 17 August 2005 the ban on Naxals had to be re-imposed in Andhra Pradesh after 254 deaths in 2005 from January to 17 August-130 civilians,16 policemen & 108 Naxals. rediff.com/news/2005/aug/… Opportunism of Congress for coming to power in 2004 resulted in 146+ lives lost. (3)
