Tripura Congress chief Ashish Kumar Saha accuses BJP government of misusing Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for party workers after ADC election violence, demands transparency, equal compensation for all victims, and condemns selective financial aid distribution.
Allegations of political favoritism have surfaced in Tripura over the distribution of financial aid, with opposition leaders accusing the state government of using public relief mechanisms to benefit ruling party supporters.
The president of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee, Ashish Kumar Saha, on Wednesday launched a strong attack against the state administration, claiming that the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is being misused for partisan purposes. He alleged that the fund, meant to support citizens in distress, is being diverted to assist members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Addressing a press conference, Saha criticized the reported decision to extend financial aid exclusively to BJP workers who were allegedly affected by post-election violence following the Tripura ADC elections. He described the move as discriminatory and unethical, arguing that such selective distribution undermines the very purpose of a public relief fund.
“The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is not a party resource. It belongs to the people of the state,” Saha said, asserting that limiting its benefits to one political group creates a dangerous precedent. He further branded the fund as “nothing but a BJP fund” under the current administration, intensifying his criticism of the government’s approach.
Highlighting the history of political violence in the state, Saha pointed out that members of opposition parties, including the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), have also faced attacks in the past. He argued that victims from earlier incidents have not received comparable financial support, raising questions about fairness and consistency in relief distribution.
Saha also referred to recent reports of violence allegedly involving supporters of the Tipra Motha after the ADC election results. While acknowledging that providing assistance to affected families is a responsibility of the government, he stressed that such aid must be extended without political bias.
According to him, the relief fund should serve all citizens equally—irrespective of their political affiliations. “It should not matter whether someone belongs to the ruling party, the opposition, or no party at all. Every victim deserves equal support,” he stated.
The Congress leader further accused the government of lacking transparency in the allocation of funds. He demanded a clear and accountable mechanism to ensure that financial assistance reaches all those impacted by violence, rather than being limited to select groups.
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Calling for immediate corrective measures, Saha urged the authorities to adopt a more inclusive and fair approach. He emphasized that public funds must be managed with integrity and should not be used as tools for political gain.
The controversy has sparked renewed debate over the role of government relief mechanisms and the need for impartial governance, particularly in politically sensitive situations. As demands for transparency grow louder, the issue is likely to remain a focal point in Tripura’s political discourse in the coming days.
