By our correspondent
Agartala, April 09, 2019: Even though CPI-M in Tripura appears to be a waning force, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb identify CPIM as the main Opposition in both the seats – West and East Parliamentary seats – in Lok Sabha Polls for which voting will be conducted on April 11 and April 18 next. He also unequivocally mentioned that BJP is committed not give CPI-M any chance to revive in Tripura.
Speaking to media today before campaign for West Parliamentary which will go to poll on April 11 next, Biplab Deb said, it was the BJP which worked hard to dislodge Leftists from power in Tripura and ultimately succeeded. He said, CPI-M – not Congress – is our main opposition and we will beat them comfortably in both the LS seats. Justifying his statement, Deb said, CPI-M has 16 MLAs with them, whereas Congress has none. Moreover, voting percentage of Congress dropped down to 1 per cent in last Assembly Polls. Under such political scenario, BJP’s fight in both the seats will be against CPI-M.
“As BJP considers CPI-M as main contestant, we are committed not to give CPI-M any breathing space to resurrect in upcoming LS Polls”, he commented. However, it is necessary that people exercise their democratic rights wisely – otherwise, if electorates vote for Congress, it will be a great mistake as this will only strengthen CPI-M, he cautioned.
In previous LS Polls, it was mainly a two-way contest between CPI-M and Congress. However, this time it is multi-corner poll battle. After Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman took charge of Tripura Pradesh Congress, apparently a resurgent Congress has emerged. Further, BJP’s ally in the State IPFT has decided not to support but to contest in both the seats. Of course, CPI-M candidates are already in the fray. All these factors have given rise possibility of division of votes, particularly of Indigenous votes. And Congress is planning to sway away Indigenous votes which were hitherto with IPFT and hence its ally BJP.
Political analysts opined, it would be an interesting battle this time and votes of Indigenous people will be crucial in deciding fate of candidates. Not only, Congress, BJP is also trying desperately to woo indigenous people, and attendance of Indigenous people in BJP’s meetings was noticeable.
Under such a situation, Biplab Kumar Deb warned voters and urged not to cast votes for Congress as this will help CPI-M to regain lost grounds. As election campaign ends today for West parliamentary, people are waiting for April 11 and hope that rain god will not intervene.
