The BJP organised a massive ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ Padyatra in Agartala, led by Chief Minister Manik Saha and senior party leaders. Thousands of supporters participated, demonstrating organisational strength ahead of elections to 21 urban local bodies.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday demonstrated its organisational strength in Agartala by organising a massive ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ Padyatra, attracting thousands of party workers and supporters. The rally, which began from Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan, was organised ahead of the upcoming elections to 21 urban local bodies in Tripura.
The programme witnessed the participation of several senior BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, Lok Sabha MP and BJP National General Secretary Biplab Kumar Deb, and BJP state president Abhishek Debroy. Other prominent leaders, ministers, elected representatives and party workers also joined the march.
Among those present were MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, former Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik, and ministers Pranajit Singha Roy, Bikas Debbarma and Tinku Roy. Ministers Sushanta Chowdhury and Ratan Lal Nath also led party workers from their respective constituencies and participated in the programme.
According to BJP leaders, the large-scale participation reflected the party’s organisational preparedness and growing public support ahead of the forthcoming municipal elections. They said the rally was intended to send a strong political message to opposition parties while highlighting the importance of protecting democratic values and constitutional institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Manik Saha launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, stating that the Indian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to vote, the rule of law and individual security. He emphasised that every citizen has a responsibility to protect the dignity of the Constitution, which was drafted under the leadership of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
The Chief Minister alleged that attempts were being made in different parts of the country to undermine democratic processes through violence and unrest. He maintained that political disagreements should be resolved through democratic means rather than force.
“Final decisions in a democracy should be made through votes, not through violence or riots,” Saha said, urging citizens to uphold constitutional principles and respect the country’s judicial system.
He further stated that India was progressing on the path of development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Calling upon BJP workers and responsible citizens to protect democracy and the rule of law, Saha said the party would continue its awareness campaign through public rallies and household outreach programmes.
Criticising the opposition, the Chief Minister alleged that the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Congress and other constituents of the INDIA bloc had repeatedly questioned constitutional institutions, including the Supreme Court and the Election Commission, following electoral defeats.
He questioned whether such political criticism, when based on allegations without sufficient evidence, could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions. According to Saha, questioning election outcomes and constitutional authorities without substantiated evidence was not conducive to strengthening democracy.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing it as an important exercise for maintaining accurate, transparent and updated voter lists. He said the process was necessary because some registered voters had died, while others had shifted to different locations. He also referred to alleged cases of illegal infiltration as another concern requiring verification.
Saha said the objective of the SIR exercise was to ensure that all eligible citizens remained included in electoral rolls while the status of those no longer eligible was properly verified. However, he accused the Congress, CPM and Trinamool Congress of opposing the exercise for political reasons and alleged that their position was influenced by vote-bank considerations.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s position on the matter, he said electoral roll revision was connected to the Election Commission’s constitutional responsibility to ensure free and fair elections. He urged the public to examine the reasons behind the opposition parties’ criticism of the process.
Addressing the rally, BJP National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb also criticised opposition parties, alleging that their protests against the National Population Register (NPR) and the census were part of attempts to create confusion and undermine national unity and integrity.
Deb directly targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that despite India’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, opposition parties had continued attempting to create political unrest and uncertainty over different national issues.
He described the large turnout at the Agartala Padyatra as evidence of the BJP’s organisational strength and public support. Deb claimed that people from different sections of society, particularly young people, continued to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP, the Constitution and the ideals of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
He further asserted that the participation of thousands of party workers and supporters had sent a strong political message to the opposition ahead of the urban local body elections.
| Also Read: Tripura Left Front Alleges Nomination Obstruction, Demands Security |
The BJP’s ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ Padyatra is being viewed by the party as an important organisational mobilisation exercise before the forthcoming municipal polls. With senior state and national leaders participating, the programme also provided an opportunity for the party leadership to highlight its political agenda, strengthen grassroots coordination and appeal to voters across Agartala and other urban areas of Tripura.
| Also Read: Kishor Seeks Centre’s Support to Develop Rudrasagar as Iconic Lake |
The rally concluded with the party reiterating its commitment to promoting constitutional values, democratic participation and the development agenda under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
