"The naxals have become the greatest hurdle in the way of development of Gadchiroli. We don't believe in bullet. The government is committed to exploitation-free development of the district. Let the naxalites come forward one step in this process and we will take two steps," Patil told mediapersons here last evening.

Patil, who is also the Guardian minister of the district, was in the city to attend an Independence Day programme and visit the flood-affected areas.