New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) Following the claims made by BJP National President J.P. Nadda regarding supposed collusion within the Congress party during the 2013 Jhiram Ghati Maoist attack, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha expressed on Tuesday that such allegations are profoundly serious and should be substantiated with valid proof.

In a pointed response to Nadda's comments, Jha asserted that merely issuing political accusations is unacceptable, particularly when the BJP governs both the Centre and Chhattisgarh. He emphasized that if these assertions hold any truth, the government is obligated to make all pertinent evidence publicly accessible.

This statement follows Nadda's allegations made during the ‘Janadesh Parab’ event, commemorating two years of the Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP administration in Chhattisgarh. His comments elicited strong reactions from Congress officials, including former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

While addressing a sizable audience at the Khokhra Police Ground in Janjgir-Champa district, Nadda claimed that the internal movement details of senior Congress leaders were compromised, which allowed the Maoists to execute a fatal ambush.

The union minister accused the Congress of having historical ties with extremist factions and reiterated that the current 'double-engine' BJP government is dedicated to eliminating Maoism from the state by March 2026.

In an interview with IANS, Jha remarked, “This is a profoundly serious allegation. Are you suggesting that Congress members harmed their own? You are part of the government; if this is valid, then present the evidence. Do not merely make a political statement and move on.”

He also criticized selective inquiries, asserting that similar scrutiny should extend to other significant incidents.

“I will pose additional questions, such as what occurred in Pahalgam? What transpired in Pulwama? Were we informed about these incidents? These are serious matters that warrant explanations,” Jha stated.

The Jhiram Ghati attack stands as one of the most lethal Maoist assaults in India's political history. On May 25, 2013, Maoists launched an ambush on a convoy of Congress leaders during the party's ‘Parivartan Rally’ in the Jhiram valley of Chhattisgarh, ahead of the Assembly elections. This attack resulted in the deaths of at least 32 individuals, including the then state Congress president Nand Kumar Patel, former Leader of Opposition Mahendra Karma, and former Union Minister Vidyacharan Shukla.

In response to remarks made by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, during his visit to Germany, where he mentioned that “China has shown the world the direction of production,” Jha defended Gandhi's statement and questioned the ensuing backlash.

“What is the reason for such an uproar over Rahul Gandhi's statement? Isn’t it a reality? Shouldn’t the Leader of the Opposition, or any political leader, reflect on why capabilities once present in our nation are now shifting to China?” he conveyed to IANS.

He asserted that this issue should prompt a period of reflection.

“This question should be viewed as a constructive opportunity for us. I anticipate that by evening, the discussion will be framed as a pro-China statement. Overlooking implicit realities indicates a lack of wisdom,” Jha concluded.