The result of 6-Agartala by-poll in Tripura exposed the under the carpet understanding between the Congress and CPM. Recent statements by Congress and CPM leaders of Tripura pertaining to unity of opposition parties against BJP clearly indicate that the understanding will become stronger in upcoming 2023 Assembly Polls, said ICA Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.   

He was addressing a party gathering over review of party’s performance in the recently concluded by-polls, especially by-polls in 6-Agartala Assembly constituency.

Chowdhury said, “There is no need to be disheartened as BJP won in three out of the four Assembly seats in which by-polls were held. Importantly, BJP managed to snatch the Jubarajnagar seat from CPM””

He continued and said, “As far as the 6-Agartala is concerned, BJP is much stronger than any other parties. In fact, other parties have to organization there. BJP fielded a good, clean and well known person as the candidate – everything was in favour of the BJP. However, an unholy and secret understanding between Congress and CPM defeated us”.

He adduced with figures and said, “As per the pre-poll analysis, BJP candidate was expected to poll around 15,000 votes – the BJP candidate almost did it. However, we estimated that the CPM candidate would get 12,500-13,000 votes and the Congress was supposed to poll 10,000-12,000 votes. Our analysis for our candidate was almost right yet the entire equation was changed. We could see that the CPM got less than 7,000 votes – much less than anticipated. It is obvious that the rest of the votes of the CPM went to the Congress candidate and the latter could pool 17,431 votes.”

“This is not due to its organizational activities, but due to a very secret understanding with the CPI(M) that the Congress won the seat of 6-Agartala,” said Chowdhury.

He said, “Just as the assembly election is drawing near, the understanding between the CPI(M) and the Congress is getting more obvious and this has been proved on Wednesday (June 29) last, when the CPM state secretary Jitendra Choudhury agreed with Sudip Roy Barman’s call for united opposition against BJP.”

“Victories in three Assembly seats proved there is no alternative to the BJP in the sub-urban and rural areas of the state as the people trust BJP and voted for the BJP,” Chowdhury asserted.