Political mercury is soaring up in the ADC areas of Tripura ahead of the September 28 Village Committee polls, with CPIM State Secretary Jitendra Choudhury accusing the BJP, IPFT and Tipra Motha of “ideological bankruptcy” and claiming growing dissent within their support bases.
Key Takeaways:
- Jitendra Choudhury accused BJP, IPFT and Tipra Motha of “ideological bankruptcy”.
- He alleged growing dissent within the three parties ahead of the September 28 poll.
- Choudhury said rural voters were raising issues involving employment, ration and development schemes.
Tripura Leader of Opposition and CPIM State Secretary Jitendra Choudhury today, on September 24 said the Village Committee campaign was drawing an “unprecedented response” from people across the rural areas of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Choudhury said the election had become more than a routine political contest. He described it as an opportunity for rural voters to protest against what he called “anarchy” and the alleged neglect of their rights over the past eight-and-a-half years.
Rural Rights Become Campaign Issue
Choudhury alleged that rural people had struggled to access employment, ration and benefits under various rural development programmes.
He specifically referred to MGNREGA work and the timely distribution of ration at fair prices. He also alleged irregularities in beneficiary selection and the implementation of rural schemes.
According to Choudhury, people had repeatedly raised their demands and concerns. He alleged that their opinions received little attention from the BJP, Tipra Motha and IPFT.
The CPIM leader accused the three parties of involvement in what he described as widespread “loot” in rural areas. He alleged that a small group of people had rapidly accumulated wealth and was seeking to control different aspects of rural society.
He said the Village Committee poll in the ADC areas provided an opportunity for people to express their opposition to such practices.
Choudhury Alleges Growing Dissent
The CPIM State Secretary also claimed that dissatisfaction was emerging among sections of people who had previously supported the BJP, Tipra Motha and IPFT.
He said some of these supporters had earlier become associated with various political activities, including groups referred to as “bike brigades”.
According to Choudhury, dissent was now emerging within the support bases of all three parties.
He said the final days of campaigning would be important. Campaigning is scheduled to end at 4 pm on September 26, two days before polling.
BJP-Tipra Motha-IPFT Coordination Questioned
Choudhury criticised the recent political coordination among the three parties.
He referred to the meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarma in Delhi. He also mentioned subsequent meetings involving senior BJP, Tipra Motha and IPFT leaders in Tripura.
The CPIM leader alleged that government guest houses, circuit houses and revenue dak bungalows had been used for meetings and political activities after the Model Code of Conduct came into force.
He referred to facilities in Sonamura, Gomati, Shantirbazar, Dhalai and Manu.
Choudhury questioned why the three parties had not been able to organise a major joint campaign meeting involving their ministers and senior leaders.
“Whom Will Ratan Lal Nath Ask People to Vote For?”
Choudhury particularly referred to Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath.
He questioned how Nath could campaign in constituencies where BJP, Tipra Motha and IPFT candidates are contesting against one another.
According to Choudhury, an appeal for a BJP candidate could face opposition from Tipra Motha supporters in some areas. Similarly, support for a Tipra Motha candidate could trigger opposition from BJP supporters elsewhere.
He described the situation as evidence of what he called the “ideological bankruptcy” of the BJP, Tipra Motha and IPFT.
Choudhury also accused the ruling parties of undermining democratic practices. He alleged vote-related irregularities and misuse of public funds.
Contest in Remaining Constituencies
Choudhury alleged that BJP and Tipra Motha had prevented candidates from submitting nomination papers in nearly half of the seats and had “forcibly captured” those constituencies.
He said polling would take place in the remaining seats.
The Left leader claimed that CPIM, CPI, RSP, Forward Bloc and CPI(ML) had fielded candidates in around 80 per cent of the constituencies going to the polls.
He said BJP and Tipra Motha candidates were also contesting in most of these constituencies, while IPFT candidates were in the fray in some areas.
Choudhury further claimed that rebel BJP and Tipra Motha candidates were contesting as Independents in some constituencies.
Focus Shifts to September 28
Choudhury questioned why Village Committee elections had not been held for nearly 10 years.
He said the long gap had become a major issue during the campaign.
According to the CPIM leader, voters in the ADC areas were seeking political change and a “new wind” had begun to blow across Tripura.
He said the campaign response indicated a changing political mood in the ADC areas.
Polling is scheduled for September 28, with counting set for October 5. Choudhury said the results would reflect the political mood emerging from the rural areas.
He concluded that the campaign was showing signs of a new political trend in the ADC areas.
