Former Chief Minister and veteran CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar has strongly criticised the alliance between the BJP and Tipra Motha Party (TMP) ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections of Tripura Tribal Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), describing the electoral understanding as a politically motivated alliance.
Sarkar speaking with media person on Tuesday said that parties which had once been vocal against each other politically have now come together ahead of the elections to work out a power-sharing arrangement. He claimed that the primary objective of the alliance was not the interests of the common people, but their own political advantage and retention of power.
Describing the Village Committee elections as highly important, the former Chief Minister said the democratic rights of people in rural areas and the issue of local self-governance should not be ignored under any circumstances. He also demanded that all political parties be given equal opportunities and that voting be conducted in a peaceful environment.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has announced that the BJP, Tipra Motha and IPFT have decided to contest the upcoming Village Committee elections jointly. Discussions on seat-sharing and candidate selection are underway among the alliance partners.
Sarkar’s remarks have sparked fresh discussion in Tripura’s political circles. With the Village Committee elections approaching, it remains to be seen how strongly the Opposition intensifies its political battle against the ruling alliance.