Ranchi: Janata Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav today appealed the Maoists to join the political mainstream, but criticised Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren's alleged soft-pedalling with the extremist outfits.

"The Maoists should take a leaf out of the Nepal political development, preferring ballots to bullets. They say they are fighting for the poor, and there is no better way to serve them than joining the political mainstream," Yadav said.

Accusing Soren of his softening stand on the Maoists, he alleged that the present government has left Jharkhand in a chaotic state with law and order deteriorating day by day.

Turning the heat on the Centre, the former union minister alleged that the UPA government has failed to tackle terrorism in the country.

"We can utilise the services of safai karmacharis, railway vendors, fishermen and other shopkeepers who can give first hand information to the police on suspected objects and against people moving suspiciously, which in turn, can save precious lives," Yadav said on the ways to tackle terrorism.

Attack on Mumbai, he added, was terrifying but a blast again followed in Assam.

"Things like that are hard to stop and the police cannot do the job alone. We can lessen such acts by utilising the services of the deprived sections," he said.
Source : PTI