Tripura LoP Jitendra Chaudhury slams CM Manik Saha over remarks linking violence to CPI(M), demands probe into post-poll violence, alleges attacks on opposition supporters, administrative failure, and calls for accountability, arrests, and compensation for victims.
Tensions escalated in Tripura’s political landscape on Wednesday as Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury sharply criticised Chief Minister Manik Saha over remarks linking post-poll violence to the CPI(M), triggering a fresh war of words between the ruling party and the opposition.
Addressing the media, Chaudhury, who also serves as the state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), alleged that incidents of violence have become a recurring pattern after every major election since the Bharatiya Janata Party assumed power in Tripura in 2018. He accused the Chief Minister of being directly responsible for failing to curb such violence and demanded a comprehensive probe into all reported incidents.
Chaudhury claimed that numerous opposition supporters were targeted during post-election periods, with houses vandalised, rubber plantations destroyed, and business establishments looted. According to him, these attacks resulted in extensive financial losses amounting to lakhs and crores of rupees, while several individuals were subjected to physical assault.
“The biggest culprit of post-poll violence is the Chief Minister himself. Even during his tenure as BJP state president, opposition workers faced repeated attacks. This is a reality that cannot be concealed,” Chaudhury asserted during the press briefing.
He further alleged that law enforcement agencies failed to take adequate action despite multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) being filed. In several cases, he claimed, incidents occurred in the presence of police personnel, raising serious concerns about administrative inaction and accountability.
The CPI(M) leader stated that his party had already submitted a detailed list of such incidents to the authorities, including the names of alleged perpetrators. He also highlighted that party offices, including the CPI(M) state headquarters, were repeatedly targeted, with some locations attacked multiple times over the years.
Chaudhury additionally accused the administration of allowing economic blockades against individuals based on political affiliations, claiming that affected families were left without adequate protection, compensation, or relief. He emphasized that such actions have contributed to a climate of fear and political intolerance in the state.
Referring to the recent unrest following elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, Chaudhury clarified that the CPI(M) does not endorse violence against any political group, including BJP workers. However, he alleged that provocations leading to clashes often originated from ruling party supporters.
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He also criticised Chief Minister Saha for his recent statement suggesting that Tipra Motha workers had adopted post-poll violence tactics from CPI(M). Calling the remark “misleading and historically inaccurate,” Chaudhury urged the Chief Minister to reassess the political history of the state before making such claims.
Demanding accountability, Chaudhury called on the government to initiate an impartial investigation into all past incidents of post-poll violence. He stressed that justice must be ensured through the arrest of those responsible, regardless of their political affiliations, and insisted on adequate compensation and rehabilitation for victims.
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The remarks have intensified political tensions in Tripura, with opposition parties continuing to question the state government’s handling of law and order, particularly in the sensitive post-election period.
