The opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) state secretary of Tripura, Jitendra Choudhury, launched a scathing criticism against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Tripura.

He alleged that the government’s track record fell short of delivering on the 299 promises outlined in their 2018 vision document.

Choudhury further asserted that the populace’s discontent with the incumbent administration’s performance played a pivotal role in the BJP’s rejection by the majority of voters during the 2023 assembly elections.

Addressing separate party gatherings at Bheluarchar and Dakhin Kalamcherra, Choudhury extended his support for the CPIM’s by-poll candidate, Mijan Hossain, vying for the Boxanagar assembly constituency.

“The resounding rejection of the BJP by the majority of the state’s population in the recent assembly elections is a testament to their abject failure over the past five years,” Choudhury remarked. He claimed that the BJP-led coalition government’s inability to fulfill its commitments had led to a palpable frustration among Tripura’s residents.

Choudhury alleged, “The government’s inability to deliver on its pre-election promises has had a severe impact, particularly on the economically vulnerable segments such as farmers and underprivileged families.”

He further accused the BJP of stifling democratic principles in the state, claiming that opposition parties faced hindrances in conducting meetings and rallies due to the ruling party’s dominance. “Instances of targeting opposition party offices to curtail their activities have been prevalent, undermining the opposition’s ability to advocate for the state’s citizens,” he asserted.

While acknowledging that the outcome of the upcoming by-poll might not directly dismantle the existing government, Choudhury stressed the election’s significance from a political standpoint.

“This forthcoming election holds substantial political implications,” he concluded.

The by-poll for the Boxanagar assembly constituency is anticipated to serve as a barometer of public sentiment. This constituency is known as a Left stronghold and in the last Assembly Polls CPIM’s Samsul Haque defeated his BJP rival by more than 4800 votes.

After the death of Haque, a by-poll was necessitated and CPIM fielded late Samsul Haque’s son, Mijan Hossain.  A defeat in the Boxanagar seat will deliver a shocking blow to the CPIM which was relegated to the third position and lost the main Opposition status after the 2023 Assembly polls.

The by-polls at Boxanagar will be held on September 5 along with the by-polls at Dhanpur. Results will be announced on September 8 next.