The former leader of the opposition in Tripura and CPIM Politburo leader Manik Sarkar, reminisced about the large political rallies held in Dhanpur during the extended tenure of the Left Front. He addressed a modest gathering in the Dhanpur Assembly Constituency, which is currently preparing for a by-poll.
Sarkar attributed the current situation to the BJP’s stance towards opposition parties. Even during the 2018 Assembly elections, supporters of the CPIM, hoping to secure the 8th Left Front government in Tripura, organized massive rallies. Despite losing the 2018 Assembly polls to the BJP, Manik Sarkar himself emerged victorious in Dhanpur, defeating BJP’s Pratima Bhowmik, who now serves as a Union MoS.
However, the political landscape began to shift, leading to Sarkar’s decision not to contest in 2023. Instead, a newcomer was fielded and lost to Union MoS Pratima Bhowmik. Leftists had ample opportunities to strengthen their organization as Bhowmik resigned from Dhanpur immediately after the poll results were announced. The extent of their success will be evident after the by-poll results are declared.
Meanwhile, in the lead-up to the by-polls, CPIM leaders, including State Secretary Jiten Choudhury and Politburo leader Manik Sarkar, did not organize or address any large-scale meetings, locally known as “Jamayet.” Despite a peaceful pre-poll environment, CPIM did not manage to arrange any Jamayet in either of the two by-poll-bound constituencies, Dhanpur and Boxanagar.
Although Manik Sarkar held the BJP responsible for the current situation of CPIM, suggesting political violence, there are no reports of violence or intimidation against CPIM activists. It appears that CPIM, led by Jiten Choudhury, struggled to boost the morale of party workers and organize Jamayet events.
Nonetheless, whether it was a small gathering or a large Jamayet, CPIM leaders consistently criticized the ruling BJP on various issues. On the final day of the campaign, Manik Sarkar, addressing party supporters, accused the BJP-led coalition government in Tripura of hindering the state’s development and failing to meet the people’s expectations.
Speaking at a subdued gathering of CPIM party supporters in Dhanpur ahead of the bye-election, Sarkar alleged that the BJP government had reduced budget allocations for the MGNREGA scheme and other sectors.
He asserted that agricultural laborers, farmers, Rega workers, and unemployed youths in the state were suffering under this government’s rule. Sarkar urged voters in both the Dhanpur and Boxanagar constituencies to turn out in large numbers to vote for CPIM and intensify the movement against the BJP government.