Former Chief Minister of Tripura and CPIm Politburo leader, Manik Sarkar, delivered a scathing critique of the BJP-led government, accusing it of favouring capitalists at the expense of the unemployed youth.
His comments came during a special convention organized by the Tripura Rajya Upajati Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP) – the tribal wing of the CPIM in Tripura – at the Agartala Town Hall on Wednesday, where he addressed a gathering on the issues faced by the tribal community and the state’s broader population.
During his speech, Sarkar emphasized the growing economic disparity, attributing it to the government’s failure to create jobs.
“The youth, despite being educated and skilled, are being exploited to serve the interests of a few capitalists,” he said.
According to Sarkar, the government is manipulating the qualifications of the unemployed to bolster the wealth of those in power, while government job opportunities remain scarce. He further warned that the rampant unemployment is pushing the general population, particularly the youth, into a state of despair.
Highlighting Corruption and TTAADC Issues
Sarkar did not hold back in his criticism of the administration of tribal areas under the Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
He accused the government of allowing widespread corruption to flourish in these regions, further marginalizing the indigenous people.
He underscored that the misuse of public resources in the TTAADC areas has deprived the tribal community of their rights and hindered development efforts.
A Wider Critique of the NDA Government
Manik Sarkar’s criticism was not limited to Tripura but extended to the broader policies of the NDA government at the center. He accused the central leadership of ignoring the needs of the common people and prioritizing the interests of large corporations and industrialists, further widening the gap between the rich and the poor.
Call for Continuous Struggle
The veteran CPIM’s message was clear – the people must not remain silent in the face of economic exploitation and corruption. He called on the masses to rise in collective action, stressing the need for a continuous and sustained struggle to protect the rights of the people, especially the tribal population, who are disproportionately affected by the government’s policies.
Sarkar urged the attendees to resist the policies that favor the wealthy and to demand jobs, food security, and employment for the unemployed.
The Context of the GMP Convention
The special convention organized by the Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP) was held to address the key demands of the people – jobs, employment for the unemployed, an end to corruption in the tribal-administered areas, and the restoration of basic rights. Other prominent leaders, including the state secretary Jitendra Choudhury, echoed Sarkar’s sentiments, calling for unity and resilience in the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in Tripura.
