Cong Seva Dal Chief Alleges Corruption in BJP Rule, Calls for Public Mobilization
Agartala, Mar 11, 2025, By Our Correspondent82
In a fiery attack against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress Seva Dal's National Chief Organizer Lal Ji Desai on Tuesday accused BJP leaders and legislators of institutionalizing corruption by imposing a mandatory 10 percent commission on contractors working in their constituencies.
Speaking at a public rally organized by the Congress Party in Agartala, Desai alleged that the BJP leadership had normalized corruption by ensuring that no work was sanctioned without kickbacks.
"The 10 percent commission system has now become an institutionalized norm under BJP rule. This is the minimum amount their leaders and MLAs demand from contractors. In some cases, if they get the chance, they siphon off the entire amount allocated for projects," he claimed.
Desai further stated that an analysis of Tripura’s annual budget and financial transactions suggests that an estimated ₹21,000 crore of public funds have been misappropriated under the BJP government.
Call for Public Action Against Corruption
The Congress leader urged party workers to mobilize public opinion against what he described as large-scale corruption and attacks on constitutional values by BJP supporters. He called on Congress cadres to expose the alleged misdeeds of the ruling party and fight against the undermining of democratic institutions.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman Alleges Administrative Corruption
Tripura Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, who also addressed the gathering, claimed that corruption had permeated every level of the administration—from top bureaucrats to grassroots functionaries.
"A section of bureaucrats in the state secretariat deliberately obstructs the movement of official files unless their commission demands are met. Even the Public Distribution System (PDS) is suffering because of such corrupt practices," Roy Barman alleged.
Threats and Attacks on Opposition Leaders
Roy Barman also criticized the BJP and its supporters for allegedly fostering a climate of threats, intimidation, and political violence against opposition party members. He pointed to a recent incident where miscreants vandalized the car of Gomati District Congress Committee President in front of the police, but no action was taken.
He further accused the BJP of launching a sustained campaign of political violence against Congress and CPI(M) supporters since coming to power in the state. Issuing a warning, he told Congress workers to "make a list of these miscreants", vowing that “scores will be settled in the future.”
Congress President Asish Kumar Saha Accuses BJP of Election Manipulation
Addressing the rally, Tripura Pradesh Congress President Asish Kumar Saha alleged that the BJP had used trade unions affiliated with the ruling party to disrupt transportation for Congress workers traveling to the rally.
"Thousands of our supporters had to walk long distances because the ruling party-backed transport unions issued instructions to deny us vehicles for the rally," he said.
Saha also accused the BJP of tampering with voter lists to manipulate election outcomes. He called on Congress workers to ensure the party's presence at every booth level and appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to prevent electoral fraud.
"Reaching every booth is crucial. The BJP has made voter list tampering a habit, and we must stay vigilant to safeguard democracy," he said.
The Congress rally in Agartala served as a show of strength for the opposition, with leaders making strong accusations against the BJP and urging party workers to intensify grassroots efforts ahead of the next elections.