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ShareNew Delhi: The five-phased assembly election in Jharkhand through November and December might delay the Centre's proposed anti-Maoist combat plan. Already, there is pressure from the Congress and some other parties to desist from launching a "war" against the Maoists. The poll factor could dilute the home ministry's "war cry" further.
The home ministry has been toying with the idea of rescheduling the combat plan because of the impending elections, necessitated by expiry of President's rule in Jharkhand on January 10, 2010. The ministry had earlier tried to extend President's Rule but failed. Ministry sources say extending President's Rule beyond January 10 is becoming untenable because of growing pressure from the opposition, the BJP, which is demanding early installation of a popular government there.
With the poll schedule announced, the ministry is also looking into the possibility of shifting the "theatre of operation" away from Jharkhand, to ensure smooth polls.
However, in view of growing demands by chief ministers of Maoist-affected states like West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for a coordinated action against the Maoists to check their tendency to flee from one state to the other after committing a crime, carrying out the operation in a piecemeal manner is unlikely. "We'll ensure that the elections pass off peacefully and provide a good platform to the forces to launch anti-Maoist operations," sources said.
