BJP launched a major attack on Congress following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks about “Urban Naxals.” Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said Modi never named anyone. However, Trivedi claimed people fitting that description emerged themselves within 24 hours. He said P Chidambaram identified himself as an “Urban Naxal.” Furthermore, Trivedi claimed 5,000 innocent people died during Chidambaram’s tenure. He also said Congress governed when 180 districts faced Naxal influence. According to Trivedi, Manmohan Singh remained trapped by political compulsions. Moreover, he described Naxalism as a major internal security threat.
Trivedi said Modi raised an important issue during his Independence Day address. He called the “Urban Naxal” subject highly relevant in the present context. However, the BJP leader expressed surprise over developments during the following 24 hours. He claimed people carrying such thinking revealed themselves without anyone naming them. Trivedi said Chidambaram personally declared pride in calling himself an “Urban Naxal.” He described that development as astonishing.
BJP Asks Whether Manmohan Singh or Chidambaram Was Right
Trivedi then reminded Congress and P Chidambaram about Manmohan Singh’s April 13, 2006 statement. Singh had described Naxalism as India’s biggest internal security threat in its history. Trivedi argued that Singh understood the seriousness of that challenge. He then referred to March 31, 2026, while praising Modi’s government. According to Trivedi, the government accomplished what Manmohan Singh had recognised as necessary. However, he targeted a former home minister for expressing a different sentiment. Trivedi claimed Chidambaram felt proud about being an “Urban Naxal.” Therefore, he asked Congress whether Manmohan Singh stood correct or Chidambaram did.
On August 15, Prime Minister Modi also spoke about Naxalism and Maoism during his Independence Day address. Modi said these movements destroyed the futures of lakhs of young people. He recalled the government’s 2014 pledge to free India from Naxalism. Furthermore, Modi expressed happiness over its declining strength. He said the movement barely had enough strength left to count its final breaths. However, Modi warned that “Urban Naxals” continued searching for opportunities. Finally, he said people must identify such elements.
