Join democracy, do not pick up guns, Venkaiah Naidu urges Maoists

Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday (December 3) urged extremists to embrace the democratic process instead of resorting to armed struggle. Addressing Karmanye, a meeting of senior BJP workers here, he said the Centre is determined to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026. “Guns may remain in the hands of the police, but they should not be in the hands of every individual,” he said, appealing to militants to lay down arms and participate in elections.

Mr. Venkaiah Naidu called for a return to value-based and ideological politics, warning that democracy will ultimately collapse if political conduct is not rooted in nationalism and ethical standards. “Leaders must maintain constant contact with the people,” he said, “and the true strength of politics lies in serving society. Politics is not a ladder for positions but a platform for service.” He urged senior party workers to guide younger generations and take ideology to the public with dedication, emphasising that true political leadership is measured by what one gives to the country rather than what one receives.

Former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya recalled the initial scepticism about the BJP’s prospects, noting that when he joined the party, many questioned whether it would ever come to power. Today, he said, the NDA government is in power at the Centre, and the BJP holds chief ministerial positions in several States. He expressed confidence that India will achieve significant progress by 2047 under capable leadership.

Former BJP organising general secretary Venu Gopal Reddy highlighted that party members must channel their ambitions with self-respect and commitment, functioning not merely as party leaders but as true public servants. He stressed merit-based leadership and the need to strengthen the party organisation with capable individuals, sharing lessons from his experiences to guide present and future initiatives.

BJP A.P. State president P.V.N. Madhav observed that senior cadre often feel their decades of sacrifice and loyalty remain underappreciated. He likened their dedication to that of Lord Hanuman, stressing that the BJP remains unique in enabling grassroots workers to rise steadily to leadership roles.

The event also featured addresses by Shyama Prasad, national convenor of the Samajika Samarasata Foundation, and other senior leaders, highlighting the party’s commitment to ideological and service-oriented politics.