There shouldn't be politics over May 25 attack: HM

Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said on Friday there should be no politics over last week's red-brigade attack, which, according to him, was more threatening than terrorism. Ejaz Kaiser reports.

Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said on Friday there should be no politics over last week's red-brigade attack, which, according to him, was more threatening than religious terrorism. He said the Chhattisgarh government and the Centre would jointly combat the Maoist threat.

While admitting that security lapses apparently led to the attack, in which 28 persons including 18 Congress functionaries were killed, on the party's convoy on May 25, the home minister said investigation would reveal everything. "Whether there was intelligence failure I can't say. The probe will disclose that," Shinde said.

He reviewed the situation with governor Shekhar Dutt, chief minister Raman Singh and senior officials of the central and state governments.

Shinde reached Raipur on Friday, six days after the attack. He has assured the state of all support and help from the Centre to counter left-wing extremists. Earlier he visited the family members of slain state Congress president Nand Kumar Patel in Raigarh district, 220 km east of Raipur, and assured them of all support and justice. Later he returned Raipur and met the injured persons admitted in a private hospital.

Congress shortlists Patel replacement
New Delhi: The race to replace to state unit chief Nand Kumar Patel has begun. Three state vice-presidents Baijnath Chandrakar, Pushpa Devi Singh and TS Singhdeo are in the race. While Chandrakar is a backward caste leader, Singhdeo comes from an influential Rajput family. Singhdeo is also the convener of the parivartan yatra, which has been temporarily suspended. Though a strong candidate, former chief minister Ajit Jogi's candidature is being opposed by many central leaders. Charan Das Mahant is also out as he is a union minister.