BJP condemns brutal Maoist attack on Congress in Bastar

The BJP Sunday condemned the Maoist attack on a Congress convoy in Chhattisgarh in which 16 people, including two senior Congress leaders, were killed, and appealed to political parties to come together and fight the extremist menace.

"The incident in Chhattisgarh due to Naxal violence is very unfortunate. I condemn it in strong words and express my sympathy towards the victims," BJP president Rajnath Singh told reporters here.

"I want to appeal to all political parties that whether it is Naxalism or terrorism, we need to rid the country of these issues, rising above party politics," he said, adding, "the entire country should come together".

Over a thousand Maoists, hiding behind bushes in a forested area of Chhattisgarh's southern Bastar area, Saturday attacked a Congress party convoy, carrying out a landmine blast and then opening fire, resulting in the death of 16 people, including two senior Congress leaders, and injuries to 25 others.

The incident took place in Sukma district around 5.15 p.m. when the leaders were returning to Jagdalpur after holding a Parivartan (transformation) rally.

The state is headed for elections to its assembly later this year.

Senior Congress leader and former leader of opposition Mahendra Karma and former legislator Uday Mudaliar were killed, and senior party leader and former union minister Vidya Charan Shukla seriously injured in firing by Maoists on their convoy that followed the landmine blast.