Agartala: Mar 26: Tripura’s Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ratan Lal Nath, has accused the local newspaper Daily Desher Katha of breaching parliamentary privilege in a complaint filed with Tripura Assembly Speaker Bishwabandhu Sen. Nath’s complaint stems from a report published by the newspaper on March 24, which he claims misrepresented his remarks made during the assembly’s budget discussion.
During the session, Nath addressed opposition leader Jitendra Choudhury, stating, “In his speech, he revealed his true nature.” Nath later clarified his statement, explaining that Choudhury had exposed the true nature of communists and added that he did not want to see him in the assembly anymore, as he believed Choudhury did not belong there. Nath emphasized that his comments were not intended to be unparliamentary or communal. However, he accused Daily Desher Katha, the CPI(M)’s local mouthpiece, of deliberately distorting his words for political purposes.
According to Nath, the newspaper’s report presented his remarks in a misleading manner, framing them in a communal context, which he argues was done with the intent to incite hatred and create division. The minister attached copies of the newspaper’s report, as well as relevant excerpts from the assembly session, to substantiate his claim. He requested the Speaker to take action under Rule 173 of the Tripura Assembly’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, which deals with breaches of privilege.
This incident highlights the growing tension between the ruling BJP and the opposition CPI(M) in Tripura, with accusations of media manipulation and political maneuvering taking center stage.
