New Delhi, March 7
The Centre today rubbished the claims of a Maoist leader to overthrow the Indian state before 2050, saying they were free to “dream” and asserted that talks could only happen when they abjured violence.

“They can dream. They have the privilege to dream in a democracy. We have made our position absolutely clear. The Home Minister has stated that he would expect CPI (Maoist) to make a categorical statement that they would abjure violence and once that categorical statement is received in Ministry of Home Affairs, we will be prepared to talk,” Home Secretary GK Pillai told reporters here.

Pillai’s statement has come after top Naxal leader Koteswar Rao, alias Kishenji, last night claimed that they could overthrow Indian state much before the year 2050.

“We will overthrow the Indian government much before 2050,” Kishenji has said. He claimed the Maoists had their own army with the help of which they would overthrow the Indian state much before 2050.

Pillai, during a seminar here on Friday, had said, “The overthrow of the Indian state is not something they are willing to do tomorrow or the day after. Their strategy, according to a booklet they circulated, is that they are looking for at 2050, some documents say in 2060.” — PTI