VARANASI, March 31 -- Accusing the opposition of promoting Naxalism for vested interests, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday claimed the menace had been wiped out due to the efforts of Union home minister Amit Shah.

Addressing the MP-UP Sahyog Sammelan at a hotel in Varanasi, Yadav said opposition leaders who once encouraged Naxalism had ultimately fallen victim to it. "With the concerted efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, Lal Salaam has received its last salute. The country has been liberated from Naxalism, and development is now gaining momentum in regions one affected by it," he said.

Noting that parts of Madhya Pradesh were earlier affected by Naxalism, Yadav said the governm...