Naxalism will be wiped out from India by March 2026: Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre will wipe out Naxalism from the country by March 2026, Home Minister Amit Shah promised on Sunday.

Addressing an election campaign rally of the BJP at Simaria in Chatra district of Jharkhand, Shah attacked the Hemant Soren-led JMM coalition for "fuelling Naxalism” in the state for political gains.

"We uprooted the menace from Jharkhand during the last five years, and now the Prime Minister Modi-led Centre will wipe out Naxalism from India by March 2026,” Shah said.

"It is time to oust the anti-Dalit, anti-tribal, anti-poor, and anti-youth Hemant government from Jharkhand, which is fuelling Naxalism for petty political gains," he said.

Shah exuded confidence that the BJP would win at least 52 out of 81 assembly seats based on the calculations from the recently held Lok Sabha elections. 

"NDA will win 52 seats out of 81 in Jharkhand given people cast 47 per cent votes to the alliance in Jharkhand during the recent Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Addressing another rally in Hazaribag, Shah launched a scathing attack on the state government over the atrocities against the backward communities and labelled Soren a “corrupt CM”.

“The corrupt Chief Minister has to be changed, revenge has to be taken for the atrocities committed against the backward society. These changes have to be made to save the future of the youth,” Shah said.

Shah further attacked the Soren government over unemployment and accused the ruling party of failing to deliver on its job promises.

“Hemant Soren promised 5 lakh jobs per year for the youth, claiming he would resign if he didn’t fulfill it. Tell me, have 25 lakh youth received jobs? If the BJP returns to power, we will provide 2 lakh 85 thousand government jobs,” he said.

Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will be held in two phases on November 13 and November 20. Votes will be counted on November 23.