Lalji Desai, Seva Dal Chief Organizer, Slams BJP Over Corruption,Violence in Tripura
Agartala, Feb 19, 2025, By Our Correspondent63
The Chief Organizer of All India Seva Dal, Lalji Desai, launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, accusing it of rampant corruption and escalating political violence in Tripura. Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan in Agartala on Wednesday, Desai alleged that the ruling party was fostering an environment of intimidation and lawlessness, particularly targeting opposition parties.
According to Desai, BJP-backed miscreants had forcefully removed Seva Dal’s flags and banners from multiple locations in an attempt to disrupt the party’s activities. He claimed that such actions were a deliberate strategy to undermine the democratic process and suppress the voice of the opposition.
Despite these challenges, Desai announced that the Tripura Pradesh Seva Dal would be holding a one-day state conference in Udaipur on Thursday. The event is part of a broader nationwide campaign under the theme “Jay Bapu, Jay Bhim, and Jay Constitution” to reaffirm the values of democracy and social justice. However, he strongly condemned the destruction of Congress and Seva Dal’s banners and posters in Udaipur just two days before the event, allegedly carried out by individuals affiliated with the ruling party. This, he asserted, was a clear indicator of rising political violence in the state.
Sharp Criticism of the BJP-Led Government
Lashing out at the BJP’s governance at the national level, Desai compared the current political climate to colonial rule. “Before independence, the country was ruled by the British; now, it is being ruled by thieves,” he remarked, signaling his deep dissatisfaction with the state of democracy under the present government.
Further, he criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the ethnic violence in Manipur, which, according to him, resulted in large-scale destruction, the resignation of the state’s Chief Minister, and the imposition of President’s Rule. Desai accused the central government of failing to maintain law and order in the northeastern state, highlighting its lack of accountability in addressing the crisis.
Allegations of Government-Backed Gangster Groups in Tripura
The Seva Dal leader also accused the BJP of shielding and supporting “Gunda Bahini” (gangster groups) that were allegedly creating unrest in Tripura. He argued that these groups were being used to threaten opposition parties and disrupt their political activities, thereby preventing fair democratic competition.
Referring to the recent destruction of Congress and Seva Dal’s campaign materials in Udaipur, Desai pointed out that such incidents directly contradicted the ruling party’s claims that political violence in the state had decreased. He also recalled past attacks on opposition leaders during election periods, stating that the BJP had a history of using intimidation tactics to silence political rivals.
Unemployment Crisis in Tripura
In addition to political violence, Desai raised serious concerns about the state’s rising unemployment rate. He accused the BJP-led Tripura government of deliberately concealing the actual number of unemployed youth, thus misleading the public about the economic situation.
Desai noted that Tripura boasts one of the highest literacy rates in India, comparable to Kerala. However, despite this strong educational foundation, the state continues to struggle with a worrying employment ratio. He urged the government to take immediate action to address the job crisis rather than resorting to propaganda that misrepresents the reality on the ground.
As the Tripura Pradesh Seva Dal prepares for its state conference in Udaipur, Desai emphasized that the party remains committed to upholding constitutional values and standing against political oppression. He called upon the people of Tripura to unite against the injustices perpetuated by the ruling regime and reaffirm their faith in democracy.