CHENNAI: CPI on Sunday has criticised Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram for claiming that the reduction in the number of Maoists and Naxalites happened only during Congress rule, alleging that his stance now aligns with the repressive policies of the present Union government.

In a statement on Sunday, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian referred to Chidambaram’s comments at an event in Sivaganga and questioned why he appeared to endorse Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assertion that Maoists and Naxalites would be eliminated by March 31, 2026.

He noted that during Chidambaram’s tenure as Home Minister, the controversial Salwa Judum vigilante force was formed to hunt Maoists. The Supreme Court later held the outfit unconstitutional and violative of fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21, ordering its disbandment, which was not implemented, he said.

Veerapandian accused the BJP-led government of acting to hand over mineral-rich forest regions of Dandakaranya to major corporate groups, particularly Adani and Ambani, for profit at the cost of tribal communities who have defended their traditional land and forest rights across generations.

He said the movement of tribal people and forest dwellers to protect their livelihood and resources had given rise to Maoists and Naxalites. While rejecting armed struggle and urging them to join the democratic mainstream, he said branding all such struggles as anti-national was wrong.

He said it was surprising that both Amit Shah and Chidambaram were speaking in the same voice against those fighting for forest rights, adding that the CPI strongly opposed such positions.