Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Vijay Sharma: Talks Possible with Maoists, But Not with Those Unaware of State’s Pain

Raipur
In a firm statement, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma reiterated that the government is willing to hold unconditional talks with Maoists. However, he made it clear that the state will not engage in dialogue with intermediaries who have never shared in the pain and suffering of Chhattisgarh, especially that of the people of Bastar.

Referring to a letter purportedly issued by the Maoists, Sharma emphasized that its authenticity must first be verified. “The government is open to dialogue, but certain individuals and institutions based in Hyderabad have started holding meetings and issuing directions to the central and state governments. Such people can never be part of any negotiations,” he said.

Sharma criticized these external groups for attempting to insert themselves into the process despite having no connection with the region’s suffering. “These are people who were never part of Bastar’s pain. When Maoists massacred innocent tribal villagers in Chingawaram, Darbha Ghati, Errabore, Manikonta, Ranibodli, and Tadmetla, and when Chhattisgarh’s top leadership was wiped out in the Jhiram Ghati attack, they remained silent and indifferent. Dialogue cannot happen at the behest of those who never empathized with Chhattisgarh’s wounds,” he asserted.

Reiterating his stance, the Deputy Chief Minister concluded, “We are certainly open to talks with the Maoists — that too, unconditionally — but only on terms rooted in the realities and pain of Chhattisgarh, not dictated by outsiders.”