Tripura LoP Jitendra Chaudhury accused the BJP-led government of weakening democracy, curtailing political rights and enabling “Mafia Raj” and “Commission Raj” while questioning employment, law and order, road conditions and governance during an AIKS state conference rally in Agartala.
Tripura’s political atmosphere turned increasingly confrontational on Tuesday as CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing it of weakening democratic institutions, curtailing political rights and turning the state into a “laboratory” for its political agenda.
Chaudhury was addressing a massive public meeting organised in connection with the three-day state conference of the All India Krishak Sabha (AIKS) at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala. In his address, the CPI(M) leader alleged that democratic rights were being systematically restricted and claimed that sections of the public were being prevented from participating in political programmes.
According to Chaudhury, vehicles carrying people to the rally were allegedly stopped at different locations, while some individuals were reportedly threatened with the loss of government benefits if they attended the programme. Despite what he described as attempts to discourage participation, he claimed that farmers, agricultural workers, Jumia cultivators, women and people from other sections of society attended the meeting in large numbers.
“Democracy is being plundered and the Constitution is being rendered dysfunctional in Tripura,” Chaudhury alleged, directly targeting the BJP-led government.
The opposition leader also raised questions over the recent death of Tripura’s Director General of Police, linking the issue to concerns over law and order and public safety. He sought greater transparency and accountability from the government and questioned how ordinary citizens could feel secure if the state’s top police officer himself was not safe.
Questions Over Employment Claims
Employment and recruitment in the state also featured prominently in Chaudhury’s speech. He questioned the government’s claims regarding appointments, pointing to continuing vacancies in schools, hospitals, health centres and government offices.
Referring to figures cited by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Chaudhury claimed that around 22,000 regular appointments and nearly 26,000 outsourced engagements had taken place. He questioned why government institutions continued to face staff shortages despite what he described as nearly 48,000 new personnel being added through regular and outsourced appointments.
“If 48,000 new personnel have been added to the administration, why are schools, hospitals, health centres and government offices still empty?” he asked.
Chaudhury further alleged that outsourcing had become a means of political patronage and accused sections of the administration of functioning under what he described as “Mafia Raj” and “Commission Raj”. He specifically referred to departments including Public Works Department (PWD), Rural Development and Agriculture while making the allegations.
Road Conditions Also Under Fire
The condition of roads and connectivity emerged as another major issue in Chaudhury’s address. He criticised the government over the state of major routes connecting Agartala with Dharmanagar.
He particularly referred to routes passing through Teliamura and those connecting Khowai, Kamalpur and Kailashahar. The opposition leader argued that road infrastructure remained a significant concern for residents and commuters despite repeated claims regarding development and connectivity.
Call for Political Mobilisation
Chaudhury used the platform to call for greater mobilisation among farmers, workers, youth and democratic forces against the BJP government. He argued that the political struggle in Tripura was not confined to electoral contests but was also linked to the protection of constitutional rights and democratic institutions.
His remarks come at a politically sensitive time, with the Village Committee elections approaching in the state. The CPI(M)’s renewed focus on democratic rights, employment, governance, law and order and rural concerns is expected to further intensify political exchanges between the ruling BJP and opposition parties.
The public meeting was held following the 22nd State Conference of the AIKS, which took place at Agartala Town Hall on Tuesday. The conference brought together farmers, activists, delegates and supporters from different parts of Tripura.
AIKS Conference Focuses on Farmers’ Issues
The conference was attended by senior AIKS and CPI(M) leaders, including Pabitra Kar and Jitendra Chaudhury, along with AIKS central leadership member Hannan Mollah and other prominent leaders.
Deliberations during the conference focused on a range of issues concerning farmers and agricultural workers, including challenges facing the farming community, agricultural interests and the future direction of the farmers’ movement.
Delegates from different districts and subdivisions participated in the discussions and presented their views before the conference. Discussions also focused on strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level and intensifying programmes aimed at protecting farmers’ interests.
The conference proceedings were followed by the large public meeting at Swami Vivekananda Ground in Agartala, where Chaudhury delivered his detailed political attack on the state government.
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With the Village Committee elections drawing closer, the opposition’s emphasis on democratic rights and grassroots mobilisation is likely to become an important component of the political campaign in Tripura. Chaudhury’s allegations have added to the growing political confrontation, with the BJP government and opposition forces preparing for an increasingly competitive electoral battle in the coming weeks.
