Gadchiroli Naxal attack marks failure of BJP-led Maha government: Chavan

The killing of 15 security personnel by Naxals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district marked a failure of the BJP-led government, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan said Thursday. Without naming Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who visited Gadchiroli Thursday, Chavan also questioned what was the use of going there after the attack.

Chavan, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, sought to know why the government led by Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, did not take measures to prevent the deadly attack. The security personnel and a civilian were killed Wednesday after Naxals blew up their vehicle in Gadchiroli district. The IED blast, whose impact left a large crater on the road, had come hours after the ultras torched 27 vehicles belonging to a road construction company.

"We do not politicise Naxal attacks...this attack is a failure of the government," Chavan said in a statement. "Why did not the government take preventive measures? What is the use of visiting (the district) now?" he asked. Chavan targeted the government on the issue of drought too, saying it was not being serious about the crisis. "The state ministers will be visiting drought-hit areas. Let's see what they do. The Congress will hold parleys on drought on May 10.

"A Congress delegation will visit drought-affected pockets after the visit of ministers," he said, according to the statement. Chavan also said the decision on who will be the next Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly will be taken after discussing the issue with allies. Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, whose son Sujay joined the BJP and also contested on the ruling party's ticket from the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat last month, had quit the Cabinet-level post recently. Chavan, a Lok Sabha MP, said the Congress has not asked Vikhe Patil to join the BJP.