Tripura Minister Ratan Lal Nath slams Opposition Leader Jitendra Chaudhury for ‘Derogatory’ remarks about tall individuals and BJP leaders. Demands public apology, cites past allegations and challenges LoP to open debate on state development.
Agartala (Tripura), June 17: Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath launched a blistering attack on Leader of the Opposition who is also a CPIM Politburo member and party’s State secretary, Jitendra Chaudhury on Monday, demanding an unconditional public apology for remarks he described as “insulting” and “defamatory” towards tall individuals and the BJP leadership, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Addressing a press conference, Minister Nath claimed that Chaudhury had recently made an objectionable comment suggesting that “tall people are fools,” a statement Nath strongly condemned as both offensive and unwarranted.
| Watch Minister Ratan Lal Nath addressing media |
“Such a remark not only belittles distinguished personalities from Tripura but also disrespects tall individuals across the nation and beyond,” Nath said, pointing out that even senior CPIM leaders like former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and former minister Aghor Debbarma are tall.
He further alleged that the opposition leader, in another controversial statement, labelled Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP as “cheaters.” Terming these remarks defamatory, Nath questioned Chaudhury’s mental and emotional stability.
“If he (Jitendra Choudhury) is in sound mental and physical health, he must offer a public apology. If not, the CPIM should consider facilitating medical care for him. Such reckless behavior is unbecoming of a senior leader and undermines democratic values,” Nath stated.
The Agriculture minister also revived past allegations against Chaudhury, referencing the much-discussed “ginger scam” and a file reportedly prepared by former Education Minister Anil Sarkar, which allegedly contains incriminating material related to Chaudhury’s actions.
The Agriculture minister also revived past allegations against Chaudhury, referencing the much-discussed “ginger scam” and a file reportedly prepared by former Education Minister Anil Sarkar, which allegedly contains incriminating material related to Chaudhury’s actions.
Nath criticized the LoP for his controversial comments on Brahmins consuming beef, asserting that such statements deeply hurt religious sentiments. “It is astonishing that a leader with decades of administrative experience would make such remarks,” he said.
Challenging Chaudhury to a public debate on the state’s development, Nath highlighted the BJP-led government’s achievements under former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and current Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha. He emphasized progress in areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and tribal welfare over the past seven years.
“Despite being in power for 35 years, the CPIM couldn’t secure a single tribal seat in the last assembly elections. That speaks volumes about who truly worked for the indigenous communities,” he added.
Concluding his address, Minister Nath accused the opposition leader of attempting to mislead the tribal population and disturb the state’s political stability through provocative and baseless rhetoric.
