Political connectivity can solve Maoist problem: Rahul

KOLKATA - Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Thursday admitted that poverty and lack of connectivity were among the causes behind the Maoist menace in the country and felt political connectivity was needed to tackle the problem.

“I think naxalism (as Maoism is often referred to) is the result of a complex set of circumstances. Poverty is certainly one issue and lack of connectivity is also one of the reasons,” Gandhi said at a media conference here.

“In a lot of parts of the country we could improve the level of connectivity… political connectivity with youngsters needed to be improved so that people can be part of the mainstream,” Gandhi said.

Referring to his efforts to rejuvenate the Youth Congress and the National Students Union of India (NSUI), Gandhi said: “The structure we are evolving can significantly help in bringing people back to the mainstream. We want tribals and youngsters to join politics and improve political connectivity.”

Anybody could join these organisations except those who were fundamentalists, criminals or believed in violence or had anti-India ideologies, said Gandhi.

Gandhi is on a three-day tour to West Bengal since Sep 14 to boost the Youth Congress membership.

“If a Naxalite has killed 50 people, then he is a criminal,” Rahul said when asked whether Naxals were welcome to join the Youth Congress.

When asked about the difference between him and the Maoists as they were both fighting for the cause of the poor and the backward people, Gandhi said: “The biggest difference is I don’t kill people, neither does my organisation.”