JOIN USLalu calls W Bengal 'varsity of Maoists'
“West Bengal has become a university of Maoist activities. Here the rebels get arms and training,” Prasad told reporters during a brief interaction on Thursday.
“Once trained, they launch attacks on other states,” the RJD chief added. He made the comments amidst unabated killing by Maoist rebels in Lalgarh and adjoining areas in West Midnapore district.
However, even as he hit at rebels for resorting to extremism, Prasad was also against the central government’s decision to launch ‘lightening attacks’ at the rebels using IAF choppers. “I raised this issue in the Parliament,” he said.
Prasad said he also opposes the military campaign, since extremism cannot be weeded out without addressing issues that give rise to it such as poverty.
The former minister of Railways declined to offer his comments on the performance of his successor Mamata Banerjee. “It is for the people to decide,” he said.
Later, addressing a workers meet, Prasad was critical of Mamata’s moves to bring out a white paper on the activities of the department during his tenure as Railway Minister.
“I don’t know what she is set out to prove through a white paper,” the former railway minister said.
“But the projects started during my tenure in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have been stalled.”