Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who survived an assassination attempt by naxalites, today (Nov 9) challenged People's War Group (PWG) extremists to face elections to prove their public support.

"They (naxalites) should first give up arms as violence has no place in democracy. Let them face elections and get a mandate if their claims of public support are true," Naidu said while interacting with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers across the state through a live programme on a private TV channel.

Condemning in strong terms the naxalite violence targetting people's representatives, Naidu, who escaped with injuries in a powerful landmine blast triggered by PWG at Tirupati on October 1, said armed revolution is an outdated concept in the present world and democratic system provides an opportunity for all parties to serve the people.

"Naxalites should eschew violence and join social mainstream. They should take to electoral politics to serve the poor," the Chief Minister said.

He pointed out that naxalism had not achieved anything tangible during the last 30 years of armed movement.

Outlining a plethora of welfare and developmental programmes undertaken by his Government during the last eight years, Naidu, undeterred by naxalite attack on him, vowed to strive for the development of the state.

PTI