Tripura: Ex-CM Manik Sarkar calls ADC elections the biggest political challenge

Agartala: Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Saturday called upon the youth to strengthen the CPIM ahead of the election.

Addressing the mass gathering of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Tribal Youth Federation (TYF) at Agartala, Sarkar lashed over the BJP-IPFT coalition government.

He placed ten demands, including employment of the youths, increasing MGNREGA wages, and restoration of democracy.

Sarkar, CPIM veteran and former MP Motilal Sarkar, DYFI State President Palash Bhowmik, State Secretary Nabarun Deb and other prominent leaders participated in the procession and gathering of DYFI.

Addressing a gathering in front of the Rabindra Bhavan, Deb criticised the central and the state government. “The BJP-led government in Tripura had promised 50,000 jobs before coming to power. But in the last three years, 3,000 unemployed people have not been given jobs”, Deb said. He also said that instead of sympathising with the terminated teachers, they were stopped by the police.

“The present government is trying to stay on the throne by continuing terrorism. It will not be possible to stay in power for long by continuing terrorism in this way. You cannot stop the Left by carrying out terrorism. We have to build resistance against terrorism”, Deb added.

Speaking at the youth gathering, Manik Sarkar said the ADC elections would be held in a few days. However, in the present Tripura government, the Panchayat elections, Lok Sabha and other elections were not allowed to be conducted peacefully.

He appealed to stand up against those who try to deprive them of their right to vote.

He reminded that in the past, the ADC had been forcibly captured at gunpoint. He claimed that at that time, the ADC’s headquarters had turned into terrorist headquarters.

Coming down heavily on the regional alliance being formed ahead of the TTAADC elections, he said, “There is a new call to consolidate the tribal parties under one banner. But, I want to ask, against whom is it being done? Whom are the people uniting against you?” Sarkar asked.

He also said that to excite the indigenous people, Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman came up with a new idea, a ‘Greater Tipraland’, adding, “Those who are involved in chalking out these sectarian strategies, I want to ask them what is the purpose”, Sarkar added.

Lashing out at Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman, he asked him to explain the contribution of the kings of his dynasty to the welfare of the general public.

“This is nothing but another gimmick to excite people, create division and shift people’s attention from the real issues”, said Sarkar.