Last Saturday, Maoists ambushed a convoy of Congress leaders, killing 27 people, including senior Chhattisgarh Congress leaders, and injuring 37 others, including former Union minister V C Shukla. In the aftermath of the incident, The New Indian Express Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh during Teekhi Baat on IBN7. Excerpts:
You said that there has been a mistake from the government’s side.
Such a big incident happened; somewhere on some issues, there may have been a mistake. There is a judicial enquiry. I want to know who is responsible at what level.
Congress made allegations; BJP leader Ananth Kumar said (Congress leader) Ajit Jogi’s role is in doubt. One is accusing the other. Won’t this affect enquiry?
The enquiry encompasses all aspects—how the incident happened, the lapses, what the police and administration should have done.
But when they informed the government about the yatra, the administration did not deploy police.
All VIP protection was given.
You accepted mistake, hence moral responsibility is yours. When Congressmen say you have to be dismissed or you should resign, why don’t you agree?
The enquiry will determine who can be held guilty; the enquiry is being done by a HC judge.
But it is your moral responsibility.
It is the government’s responsibility, but the government also has the responsibility to find out mistake and take corrective action.
Congress is demanding your resignation.
It is an odd thing to demand by the Congress. If governments keep on changing due to Naxal violence, then for how many days governments would run in India? And you talk of strengthening democracy, if you dissolve an elected government after such incidents, you will end up strengthening terrorists and Naxal movement.
Don’t you feel that there is a political conspiracy behind this? The home minister hinted, Ananth Kumar said something to that effect, do you agree?
When political conspiracy is talked about, then it is also an issue. I will not blame anybody today by naming, but it is an issue which needs to be investigated.
Because it came out in reports that a Congress MLA was let off during the attack.
Home minister said that if some issue like this crops up, it will be investigated.
Will you raise the issue why the route was changed, why some people did not join the rally?
Party will put forth.
Did the government keep it before the enquiry committee in the terms of reference?
The government has openly kept all facts before the committee.
Which means Congressmen will also be investigated.
Congress, BJP, others and all administration are in the ambit of investigation.
But you are not ready to agree that it could be a political conspiracy.
It could be politics.
Are you getting full support from the Central Government?
Today I told the home minister the same thing—don’t count whether 10 or 20 battalions are needed, make integrated action plan.
You have called prime ministerial candidates earlier; will you call Modi saab again for campaigning?
I will welcome everybody. Shivrajji will come, Narendraji will come—Arunji, Sushmaji, Rajnathji, they are my seniors.
Modi is senior to you, or you are senior to Modi?
He has won three times consecutively; it is a hat-trick. His tenure is more than mine.
As a chief minister his tenure is more, but as a party worker?
He was my general secretary (organisation), when I was working in the state. He has been my state prabhari (in charge) and he is senior.
He has seniority; hence he can become prime minister.
That is not my area, not my thinking. Till now I am not even in the body that decides the prime minister.