Politics always throws strange bed fellows and Agartala witnessed for the first time a joint rally of the two traditional political rivals of the state- CPM led Left Front and Congress. The rally organized under the banner Democratic Secular Front floated by the two opposition parties to beat ruling BJP was attended by the important leaders of both Congress and CPM.
The Left Front and Congress happened to be the two arch rivals in Tripura’s sharply divided bi-polar political set up since beginning until 2018 when BJP emerged as the powerful alternative squeezing out the ruling CPM from the power. This time to prevent the opposition vote division against the formidable BJP the two bête noirs came joined hands for seat sharing. The Saturday rally was the first public display of the newly formed alliance—where two former Chief Minister- Congress’ Samir Ranjan Barman and Left Front’s Manik Sarkar participated.
The rally demanded free, fair, transparent elections to be held on February 16 next.
Former Chief Minister and CPI-M politburo member Manik Sarkar, party’s state Secretary Jitendra Chowdhury, Tripura PradeshCongress President Birajit Sinha, AICC Tripura in-charge Dr Ajoy Kumar, lone Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, his father and former Chief Minister Samir Ranjan Barman, AICC secretary Szarita Laitphlang were seen walking down the city roads side by side burying their long held hatchet for the first time in the rally.
Their banners displayed ‘My Vote, My Right’, ‘Stop Poll Violence’, and many participants held the national flags to convince the voters.
Following the rally the leaders of Congress, CPI-M, CPI, RSP, Forward Bloc, CPI (ML) and Tripura People’s Party met Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao, and other senior police officials.
Jitendra Chowdhury after the meeting told the media that by organising violence, the BJP leaders and ministers are challenging the commitment of the Election Commission that was given during CEC Rajiv Kumar and his other colleagues’ visit.
Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman said the rally was organized to give voice to the people’s aspirations.
