Tripura ex-CM Manik Sarkar says anarchy prevails in the BJP-ruled state

AGARTALA: Former Tripura chief minister and veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Manik Sarkar said the Constitution has ceased to exist in Tripura, and complete anarchy prevails in the BJP-ruled province.

 

"MLAs from the CPI (M), Rajya Sabha MPs, and senior leaders are not permitted to visit their constituencies. Since the BJP government took power three years ago, the Constitution has ceased to exist in Tripura and the state has been in complete anarchy,” Sarkar told the media here.

 

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Sarkar, who is now the leader of opposition in the Tripura Assembly, said despite seeking interventions of governor Ramesh Bais and chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb on a number of occasions, attacks, and atrocities against opposition leaders and workers are going on unabated in the state.

 

Although attacks on Left leaders and political activities are rampant, Deb, who also holds the home portfolio, is a mute spectator, Sarkar alleged.

 

Sarkar aid the BJP made 299 promises before the 2018 Assembly elections, including providing employment to thousands of unemployed youth, but not a single promise has been kept.

 

"The chief minister made no comment, and the ruling party's workers and members were never asked to refrain from criticising the opposition. In his speeches, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has frequently mentioned that Tripura has a two-engine government. On the other hand, 'trouble engine' government, has wreaked havoc on people's lives," said Sarkar.

 

Criticising Modi's virtual address on the occasion of the BJP-led alliance government's three years in power in Tripura, Sarkar said when the Left front was in power, Tripura was an electricity surplus state and started supplying power to most of the north eastern states, as well as supplying 160 MW of electricity to Bangladesh.

 

"However, PM Modi falsely stated that after the BJP came to power in March 2018, Tripura became an electricity surplus state," he said. In Tripura, no rural development work are being carried out. People, especially tribals, are facing food and job crises, while BJP leaders have implemented a cut-money system. The people are being cheated at every opportunity in Tripura, Sarkar added.