Union Minister of State Pratima Bhoumik on Monday launched a scathing attack on royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman led TIPRA and questioned Debbarman’s silence during the prolonged Left rule.
“Had he (Pradyot) really felt for the indigenous people of the state, he would have responded to their plights long years back. When the Left Front was at the helm of affairs, he maintained a conspicuous silence on the issues that plagued the development of tribal people. And, certainly the CPIM is also helping TIPRA in gaining momentum”, said Bhoumik.
Slamming Motha for misleading the people of hilly areas for narrow political gains, she said, “People should not fall for catchy gimmicks and should see who are really working in the ground”.
Addressing a joining programme at Mandwai under West Tripura District, she said, Pradyot Debbarman’s father was an MP, his mother was an MP too. He too served in several powerful positions in the Congress. Despite all this, he did not speak up for the problems of tribal people.
“After the BJP-IPFT government came to power, roads, water connectivity and healthcare facilities were made accessible in the hills. Our government is working on a mission mode. When people started getting the services that were long due, he was trying to make way for the CPIM”, she said, terming the demand of “Greater Tipraland” as divisive.
During the public meeting, Bhoumik welcomed over one thousand voters to the saffron party from IPFT and TIPRA. Defeated IPFT candidate from Mandwai for the TTAADC polls also joined the ruling party during the event. State BJP Vice President Patal Kanya Jamatia also attended the function in presence of other party functionaries.
