INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
row today, saying "sticks and bullets" will be used, if needed, to throw the BJP out of power in Chhattisgarh, drawing a sharp rebuke from
the ruling party."Lathi, goli chalana padhe to chalayenge, lekin Bharatiya Janata Party ko Chhattisgarh se bhagayenge (will use sticks and
bullets, if required, to throw the BJP out of the state)," the Pali-Tanakhar MLA said at Sinthiya village, while administering a pledge to
the party workers to form a Congress government in the state, where the Assembly polls are due later this year.AICC general secretary and
the Congress' Chhattisgarh affairs in-charge, P L Punia, who was also present at the programme, defended Mr Uike, saying the MLA used such
words only as "idiomatically"."His (Uike's) intention was to say that the party organisation will put all its strength to dislodge the BJP
He used the words (sticks and bullet) only idiomatically," Mr Punia said.However, BJP leader and state Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda said Mr
Uike was speaking the language of the Naxals
"The comment reflects the criminal mindset of the Congress and shows that it can go to any extent for the sake of power," he said.Mr Gagda
said the BJP was voted to power for the third time in a row in Chhattisgarh in 2013 with the blessings of the people."The Congress is making
