UPA understood Naxalite problem late: Rajnath Singh

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh said that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had delayed in understanding the gravity of the Naxal problem.

"The Naxal menace had become the biggest internal security problem in the country today and productive time had been wasted to take action against the rebels," Singh said while talking to reporters here today. Singh was on a one-day visit to the state. He flew to Lohandiguda to console the family members of BJP Member of Parliament (MP) from Bastar Baliram Kashyap. The MP's son was gunned down by the rebels on Saturday.

"We have been demanding that the Centre should formulate an integrated action plan with all the Naxal-affected states to curb the menace," the BJP President said, adding that the UPA government should take effective steps without further delay.

He appreciated the efforts of Chhattisgarh government for taking initiatives in launching operations against the rebels.