Agartala, December 31: A large group of women, claiming to be victims of the Rose Valley chit fund scam during the Left Front’s rule in Tripura, staged a protest against former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Tuesday.
The demonstration took place outside the Dharmanagar Town Hall, where Sarkar was attending the North Tripura district conference of the CPIM.
The protesters, carrying placards that read, “We are poor, Manik Sarkar. We want back our money deposited in Rose Valley,” accused the former CM of failing to protect their savings.
They raised slogans against Sarkar as security personnel prevented them from entering the premises. Earlier, the women had marched through Dharmanagar town in a procession that culminated outside the Town Hall.
Meanwhile, addressing the conference, Sarkar—also a CPIM politburo member—targeted the ruling BJP government at the Centre and in Tripura over a range of issues, including rising unemployment, privatization of health and education, inflation, and the price hike of essential commodities, including medicines.
Accusing the BJP of being a fascist party, Sarkar said, “The BJP is pushing for one language, one religion, one culture, and is now trying to establish a one-party system by silencing the voice of the Opposition.”
He alleged that the BJP has failed to deliver on its promises and urged CPIM cadres to raise their voices against the government’s policies.
Sarkar also condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent statement in Parliament about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, calling it a reflection of the BJP’s “anti-Dalit mindset.”
He accused the BJP of attempting to undermine Ambedkar’s legacy and weaken the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.
