Agartala: Dec 28: Former Chief Minister and CPI(M) Politburo member Manik Sarkar has recently made controversial remarks in an attempt to assert his political presence. His comments, which have sparked criticism, came in response to the “Promo Fest-2024,” an event for which a budget of seven crore rupees was allocated. The former Chief Minister made these statements during an event on the occasion of the 80th National Education Day, held at the Agartala Town Hall. In his address, he questioned the expenditure on the festival, which led to a strong counterattack from the state’s Tourism Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury.
During a press conference, Sushanta Chowdhury responded sharply to Sarkar’s remarks, asserting that such comments were unbecoming of a senior CPI(M) leader. He accused Manik Sarkar of spreading false information and misleading the public. Sushanta Chowdhury also claimed that the former Chief Minister had become politically irrelevant and his comments reflected his own frustration.
The Tourism Minister further criticized the CPI(M) government, stating that during Manik Sarkar’s 20 years in power, the tourism department had no meaningful existence. He argued that the tourism department was essentially a tool for the party’s political needs, with its officials primarily focused on organizing events for party rallies rather than promoting tourism. Chowdhury pointed out that during the Left Front’s rule, extremist violence in Tripura discouraged tourists from visiting remote areas such as Jampui, Dumbur, and Chabimura, fearing abductions and safety concerns.
Chowdhury concluded by asserting that the success and widespread appreciation of the “Promo Fest-2024” had irked Sarkar, as it reflected the growing popularity of the current government’s initiatives. He accused the CPI(M) of trying to undermine the festival through misinformation, which has led to a decline in the party’s credibility among the public. When journalist asked about the expenditures on the festival Minister said right now he has not enough data about this, soon he will give the details of the event.
