Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao retorted strongly against the constant enquiries made by the former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as to why security forces were being withdrawn in Bastar by stating that Baghel had never wanted Naxalism to be eradicated in Chhattisgarh. In an interview with the media, Arun Sao accused Baghel of overlooking the development and prosperity of the state and argued that under Baghel, the police and the security personnel were held back, and the Naxals were holding merry-making. Sao underscored the fact that the state government has been able to provide safety and organized withdrawal of forces at the right time.
In rehabilitating 16,000 individuals who had fallen prey to Naxalism, Sao emphasised the holistic approach of the government which was surrender policies of Naxal, giving them proper rehabilitation, and ensuring that local population received benefits of government programmes. He says that such steps helped to make Naxal activity in the state decrease rapidly.
In response to the latest event in West Bengal, where judicial officers, who had participated in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, were kidnapped and denounced by the Supreme Court, Sao criticized the state government ruled by Mamata Banerjee, which he said had turned into a dictatorship, disregarding the rule of law. He foresaw that such a governance would not be accepted by the electorate in the coming elections.
In terms of increased prices of petrol after the lift on VAT exemptions, he said that people are on the side of the government and that everything would better once the world stabilizes. He also rejected claims by the former legislator and CPI leader Manish Kunjam that Naxal commanders had surrendered under bargains saying that Naxals had surrendered on their own accord under the organized surrender policy of the state.
Sao has concluded that the proactive policies of Chhattisgarh have guaranteed law, development and peace in Naxal infested regions which is a stark contrast to the rule of Baghel.