BJP TODAY

February 16--28, 2005 - Vol. 24, No. 4

Naxals rule the roost
Lucky escape for Venkaiah Naidu as extremists put his chopper to flames

Former BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu had a providential escape when his helicopter was blown up by naxalites in the Gaya district. Reports suggest that Shri Naidu had left the spot in the nick of time on a villager's scooter before his chopper was set ablaze by naxal miscreants.

Cops failed to turn up as the senior BJP leader hitched a ride to the nearest police station 13 km away. Shri Naidu was on his way from Ranchi to Vishrampur to address an election rally at Simaria but the pilot was unable to locate the exact place.

"While trying to find the location where the rally was scheduled to take place, the pilot said the fuel was running out and made an emergency landing in a mountainous area in the Pararia village, 60 km off Gaya at around 3 pm," Shri Naidu later recounted.

On landing, Shri Naidu immediately contacted colleague and Party General Secretary Shri Arun Jaitley who was in Gaya. Shri Jaitley in turn alerted the district administration to the danger of Shri Naidu being stranded in a naxal-infested area. But despite Shri Jaitley's frantic efforts to ensure security for Shri Naidu, no one reached the spot.

Meanwhile, local villagers convinced Shri Naidu to leave the place immediately.

"There was no arrangement for transport and a local villager gave me a lift on his bike till the police station about 13 km away from the spot," Shri Naidu disclosed.

In hindsight, it may have saved Shri Naidu's life. For some time later, suspected naxalites reached the spot and, watched by a crowd, threw petrol bombs on the helicopter.

"Gun-toting people move about freely. The morale of the police in Bihar is very low. I escaped by the grace of God," he told at Ranchi.

He alleged that the Bihar police failed to realise the gravity of the situation and were waiting near the national highway when he reached there by scooter from the spot where he had landed. "The road was one of the worst roads I have ever travelled through." He also expressed surprise over the police claim that they had inadequate force despite a BSF camp situated near Barachati police station, under which Paralia village, where he force landed, falls. "If this is the reaction of the police to rescue a national leader and former Union minister, we can very well understand the plight of the common man," Shri Naidu said, adding that he was undeterred by the incident and would continue his unfinished election meetings. The incident, he said, "was due to the failure of the Bihar administration system".

Charging the RJD government with not drawing a line between the party and the government, the former BJP president alleged that he had been informed that some people pose as political workers during the day and turn Naxalites during night in Bihar. He demanded adequate forces for Bihar and Jharkhand to ensure free and fair elections and the deployment under the supervision of the EC.

Shri Jaitley later accused the State police of turning a deaf ear to their pleas for help. "It's shocking that for two hours no cop was provided to protect the helicopter. And even after the chopper was set on fire, the DIG told me that all was well," Shri Jaitley added.

He said the incident only reflects the all-round chaos and anarchy that Bihar has become. But ruling out any conspiracy behind the incident, Shri Jaitley said it only underlined the fact that in rural Bihar just about anyone had access to explosive materials. "Else, how could they act so quickly?" he asked.

Making a plea to ensure the safety and security of BJP leaders in the electoral campaign, BJP MP and former Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad wanted EC to take serious notice of the attack.
Shri Prasad said the attack on Shri Naidu was "an open testimony of the deplorable law and order situation of the State." He alleged that the administration had not taken the matter seriously and reached the spot too late.

Describing it as a 'serious' lapse, BJP national secretary Bandaru Dattatreya also condemned the incident.

"It was a serious issue and by the grace of God, Naidu survived", he said. He urged the Union Government to provide adequate security to Shri Naidu.