The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) intensified its demand for adequate compensation for the approximately 20 lakh people affected by the recent floods in the state. The floods caused widespread destruction to farmland, roads, homes, and fish ponds.
The Tripura Pradesh Congress organized rallies and mass deputations on Monday in 23 sub-divisions across the state to push for a seven-point demand charter, calling for effective measures to rebuild the flood hit state and address the damage inflicted on the livelihoods of farmers, fishermen, and others impacted by the floods.
Leading the charge, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman spearheaded a rally in Agartala, starting from the Pradesh Congress headquarters. The procession traversed various parts of the city before a delegation, consisting of ten Congress leaders including Sadar District Congress Committee president Tanmoy Roy and Pradesh Congress spokesperson Kabita Chakraborty, submitted the 7-point charter to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Sadar.
Meanwhile, TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha led a similar deputation in Sonamura, highlighting the widespread public frustration with the ruling BJP government’s handling of the disaster.
Addressing the rally, Sudip Roy Barman criticized the BJP-led state government for its failure to provide timely assistance to flood victims, accusing it of neglecting the basic needs of the people.
“People are deprived of basic amenities. They are spending their days in hardship, but there is no one to hear their cry,” said Barman. He emphasized the pressing need for the government to deliver compensation for the massive losses suffered by the state’s rural population.
Congress supporters in Amarpur, Teliamura, Kanchanpur and other sub-divisions brought out rallies and submitted the charter of demands to the respective SDMs.
‘Growing Discontent Against BJP’s Misrule’
In a parallel development, total 122 voters from 26 families in Durganagar Gram Panchayat under the Mandai Assembly seat, along with seven voters from one family in Khayerpur, joined the Congress on the same day.
These defections were celebrated by the Congress as a growing sign of public dissatisfaction with the BJP’s governance.
At a joining event, Sudip Roy Barman, along with TPCC Secretary Tapan Das and other senior Congress leaders, greeted the new members with the party flag.
Barman seized the opportunity to launch a scathing attack on the BJP government, accusing it of resorting to violence and intimidation to suppress opposition. He pointed to an incident in which Congress activists, while submitting a deputation to the SDM in Mohanpur regarding the post-flood situation, were allegedly attacked by BJP-backed miscreants. Several activists were injured and are currently receiving treatment at IGM Hospital, Barman said.
“Democracy is under complete threat in the state. There is no law and order. When voices are raised against atrocities or issues in the public interest, BJP hooligans launch attacks,” Barman alleged during the press meet.
He further said the growing disillusionment with the BJP’s “fascist rule” has prompted many people to leave the ruling party and join Congress.
Barman’s criticisms come at a time when the BJP government is facing mounting pressure over its handling of both the flood crisis and internal governance. Also, several instances of alleged inner-party squabbles were surfaced putting pressure on the ruling party’s organization. According to Barman, the recent defections are a clear indicator of the public’s frustration and discontent with the state’s administration.
Demand for Compensation
The seven-point demand charter presented by the Congress outlines critical measures needed to restore normalcy in flood-affected areas. These demands include compensation for farmers who have lost their crops, assistance for fishermen whose ponds and fish stocks were destroyed, and the reconstruction of damaged roads, homes, and agricultural land. The TPCC also emphasized the need for a transparent system to ensure that relief reaches the victims without any bureaucratic hurdles or delays.
(Tripura, Tripura News)
