Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manan Kumar Mishra on Wednesday, 20 May credited Union Home Minister Amit Shah with delivering major gains against Naxalism and restoring normalcy to tribal regions long paralysed by left-wing extremism. His remarks came a day after Shah declared that Naxalism has been eliminated across India — ahead of the government's self-imposed deadline of 31 March 2026.

Shah's declaration in Jagdalpur

Speaking in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Home Minister Amit Shah said that Naxalism had been effectively eliminated nationwide, crediting security forces for sustained counter-insurgency operations. He described the outcome as a landmark achievement in India's internal security history. Shah identified 13 December 2023 — shortly after the BJP returned to power in Chhattisgarh — as the launch point of a sharpened offensive. A coordinated inter-state strategy was formalised on 24 August 2024, when leadership across affected states aligned on a plan to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026.

BJP MP on development in tribal areas

Mishra argued that Naxalism had not merely been a law-and-order problem but a structural barrier to development. 'Naxalism was hollowing out the country. It was a very serious problem. Some of our states, including parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, were heading towards destruction. There was no development or progress in many tribal areas,' he said. He further alleged that the Indian National Congress (Congress) had 'continuously encouraged this problem instead of working for their betterment' — a charge the Congress has not publicly responded to as of this report.

Mishra said conditions on the ground have shifted substantially. 'Under the leadership of our Home Minister Amit Shah, these affected areas are now on the path of development. Better healthcare and education facilities are being made available, and people are now living normal and peaceful lives,' he added.

India's fuel price stability amid global pressures

Mishra also addressed the global fuel price surge, framing India's relatively stable domestic prices as a policy achievement. 'This crisis is a global problem affecting the entire world. In such a situation, the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are doing as much as possible,' he said. He noted that while many countries have seen sharp fuel price increases, India has remained comparatively stable, and urged citizens to conserve fuel and reduce unnecessary consumption.

Significance and what comes next

The government's claim of eliminating Naxalism ahead of its own deadline marks a significant political milestone, particularly for Chhattisgarh — historically the worst-affected state. Independent verification of the claim and assessments from civil society groups working in tribal areas are awaited. Notably, analysts have previously cautioned that declaring victory over insurgencies prematurely can lead to reduced vigilance. The coming months will test whether the security gains translate into durable development outcomes for tribal communities in the affected regions.