New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday asserted that Maoist activity has been eliminated in the state, saying ‘laal salaam’ has been bid farewell.

Speaking at the TV9 Network’s What India Thinks Today Summit 2026, Yadav said, “We have given ‘laal salaam’ its final farewell in Madhya Pradesh. Maoists have been wiped out,” adding that those who surrendered are in jail while others have been neutralised.

On preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh in Ujjain, he said that this is not only a moment of pride for Madhya Pradesh but for the entire country. He said the government is creating a 30-km-long ghat to facilitate smooth conduct of rituals, with the capacity to accommodate up to 5 crore devotees within 24 hours on peak bathing days. “We are ensuring that no one faces inconvenience. The infrastructure we are building will serve Ujjain in the long term, beyond the Kumbh,” he said.

‘Madhya Pradesh ideally placed for investments’

He said that Madhya Pradesh was emerging as a rising investment destination, adding that the state’s central location offers logistical advantages for industries. “If a company wants to distribute goods across India, Madhya Pradesh is ideally placed,” he said, adding that the state is witnessing strong investor interest. He claimed that nearly 30 per cent of investment commitments made at global investor summits are translating on the ground — higher than the usual 10 per cent.

Yadav defended the Ladli Behna Yojana. He said over Rs 52,000 crore has already been disbursed to more than one crore beneficiaries. “This is one of the biggest schemes for women’s empowerment. We have time left in our term and will increase the assistance amount,” he said.

What Yadav said on drugs and swift justice

Talking about the concerns over drug abuse, Yadav said that his government was taking both legal and social measures to tackle the issue. He added that intoxicants have been banned in 19 religious towns as part of the broader effort to curb the menace.

On governance, Yadav emphasised the importance of swift justice and accountability. “Delay in justice is injustice. Action must be taken immediately against wrongdoing, irrespective of who is involved,” he said.

Speaking about improving rural and agricultural infrastructure in the state, he said his government was providing support to gaushalas and is also planning to provide milk to schoolchildren.

Highlighting inter-state river-linking projects such as Ken-Betwa with Uttar Pradesh and the Tapti project with Maharashtra, Yadav said these initiatives will address water scarcity and boost development.