Bhubaneswar: In the wake of naxal attack in Orissa's Nayagarh district, NCP leader Sharad Pawar today hit out at the BJD-BJP government for the spurt in Maoist violence and alleged its inability to eradicate poverty and unemployment had made the state a breeding ground for ultras.

"Rise in the activities of Maoists is a reflection of growing poverty and unemployment in Orissa and failure of Naveen Patnaik government to solve the problems of farmers and tribals," Pawar told a public meeting here organised by NCP. Ridiculing the state government's claim about mobilising security forces against Maoists, the Union Agriculture Minister said Left wing extremism cannot be fought only with the help of guns and arms.

"The state government should realise that poverty and unemployment must be addressed to tackle naxal menace," he said charging law and order in the state had worsened during the last eight years under BJD-BJP rule.

Taking a dig at the state's main opposition Congress, the NCP leader accused the party of failing to perform the role of an effective opposition in the state. "Congress seems to be in a difficult position as Union ministers belonging to the party are in the habit of giving clean chit to Naveen Patnaik government whenever they visit Orissa", Pawar said.

Charging the government with failing to take benefit from a number of schemes and programmes launched by the Centre, he said Orissa has many people below the poverty line due to its "inefficiency".

Source : PTI