Agartala, March 30: Senior CPI(M) leader and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Monday launched a sharp attack on both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Tipra Motha, accusing their leaders of corruption and misgovernance, while appealing to voters to support the Left Front in the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.
Addressing a public rally at Natunbazar in Gomati district, Sarkar alleged that leaders and functionaries of both parties had misused public funds, particularly in the implementation of welfare schemes. “Both sides are competing in corrupt practices, which has severely impacted the delivery of benefits meant for the people,” he claimed.
Referring to the functioning of the TTAADC over the past five years under Tipra Motha’s leadership, Sarkar alleged administrative lapses affecting employees and beneficiaries. He claimed that salary disbursement to council employees had been delayed and pension payments to eligible recipients were stalled for nearly two years. “It is only after intervention by the Tripura High Court that steps are being taken to clear pending pension dues,” he said.
Sarkar also raised concerns over the socio-economic conditions in rural and tribal areas, alleging that lack of employment opportunities and development had forced many labourers to migrate in search of work.
Criticising the BJP-led state government, he alleged that Chief Minister Manik Saha had not visited the TTAADC headquarters to review administrative functioning. He further questioned the role of the Tribal Welfare Department, claiming that there had been inadequate coordination with the council administration.
Emphasising the importance of the council, Sarkar said the TTAADC is an integral part of the state and requires consistent administrative attention and accountability. He argued that the BJP had little justification to seek votes in the council areas given what he described as its “lack of engagement.”
Highlighting the Left Front’s past governance, Sarkar said that key infrastructure projects in TTAADC areas—including roads, markets, schools, and public utilities—were initiated during Left rule. He also pointed to rubber cultivation initiatives, which he said had strengthened the rural economy and improved livelihoods.
Providing historical context, Sarkar spoke about the formation of the TTAADC, claiming that neither the BJP nor Tipra Motha played any role in its original conception.
Expressing concern over the electoral process, he alleged that free and fair elections had not been consistently conducted in recent years. However, he added that feedback from party candidates indicated strong public support for the Left Front, provided that polling is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
