Tripura BJP opposes the Left strike on June 9, calling it unproductive. BJP leader Papia Datta highlights the state’s development and welfare achievements under BJP rule, urging citizens to ignore disruptive politics and support ongoing progress in infrastructure, worker welfare, and economic growth.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura has come out strongly against the Left-sponsored statewide strike scheduled for June 9, branding it as “unproductive” and urging citizens to reject the call. Speaking to the media at the BJP state headquarters, Party Vice President Papia Datta dismissed the strike as a political gimmick aimed at regaining lost relevance.
“If we look at the history, CPIM was in power till 2018. Over the years, we have seen that time and again they had organised strikes in the state while they were in power. All these political dramas turned into laughing stock for people,” Datta remarked.
She criticized the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for its frequent reliance on street protests and strikes during its long tenure, suggesting that such disruptions have done little to benefit the people of Tripura. In contrast, she highlighted the BJP’s development-focused governance model, which she claims has delivered measurable improvements across sectors without resorting to agitation.
“Since the BJP came to power, Tripura has witnessed a massive transformation. In the last seven years, we never asked people to hit the streets for their demands, but the number of national highways increased to eight. Tripura is now connected with 20 express trains and 16 flights. All these happened without any movement,” she said.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive development, Datta cited several flagship initiatives and policy achievements. She emphasized the revision of minimum wages for tea garden workers—from ₹210.50 in 2018 to ₹220.40 recently—as a reflection of the BJP government’s dedication to labour welfare. Additionally, under the Mukhyamantri Tea Workers Scheme, the state distributed 3,166 land deeds and 4,922 priority ration cards, along with housing and basic amenities through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Datta also elaborated on social security measures introduced for construction workers in the state. These include enhanced financial assistance: ₹25,000 for marriage, ₹28,000 for maternity benefits, ₹2.1 lakh for funeral support, and significantly increased compensation for death due to natural (₹22 lakh) and accidental (₹24 lakh) causes. For the fiscal year 2024–25, the Tripura Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (TBOCWW) disbursed ₹219.80 crore, she informed.
The BJP government’s broader labour reforms also drew attention. More than 16,000 unorganised workers were registered under the e-Shram portal, and over 20,000 patients benefited from health services under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme, with a total expenditure of ₹2.25 crore.
In a bid to improve the business environment, the government amended the Shops and Establishments Act to ease working hour restrictions for women. Datta noted that special efforts are underway to register gig workers and implement national labour codes effectively.
“With nearly 9 lakh workers registered on the e-Shram portal and the active implementation of several central welfare schemes, Tripura is laying a strong foundation for inclusive growth and better worker welfare,” she stated.
Responding to questions on the likely impact of the June 9 strike, Datta expressed confidence that it would not resonate with the public. “The strike will fail to elicit any response. We strongly feel that people will participate in their daily activities as usual,” she asserted.
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The BJP’s firm opposition to the strike underscores its political positioning against the Left in Tripura, where both parties have long been locked in ideological and electoral competition. While the Left continues to rely on traditional protest strategies, the BJP is projecting itself as a development-driven force committed to governance, growth, and stability.
As the state prepares for June 9, the contrasting approaches of the two political forces will be closely observed—not just by the citizens of Tripura but also by national political analysts watching the evolving dynamics in one of India’s key northeastern states.
