Agartala, July 19:
Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Saturday dismissed the Opposition CPI(M)’s allegations over the replacement of the State Election Commissioner ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections, asserting that the Left had no moral authority to question the government’s decisions after allegedly politicising every institution during its 25-year rule.
Responding to Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chowdhury’s criticism over the appointment of P.K. Chakraborty as the new State Election Commissioner following the premature removal of Manoj Kumar, Saha accused the CPI(M) of attempting to mislead the public for political gain.
The Chief Minister said the Opposition was raising baseless apprehensions over the conduct of the Village Committee elections despite having itself undermined democratic institutions during the Left Front regime.
“Those who politicised the administration, government machinery and constitutional institutions for decades are now trying to lecture others on democracy and impartiality. The people of Tripura have not forgotten how elections were conducted during the Left regime,” Saha said.
He alleged that government officials, police personnel and administrative machinery had functioned under political influence during the CPI(M)’s tenure, whereas the present government was committed to ensuring transparency and the rule of law.
Saha maintained that the BJP-led government has consistently conducted elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner and rejected suggestions that the change in the State Election Commissioner would affect the credibility of the forthcoming Village Committee polls.
The Chief Minister also accused the CPI(M) of repeatedly attempting to create confusion ahead of elections instead of preparing to face the electorate, claiming that the Opposition was resorting to political allegations because it lacked public support.
The Leader of the Opposition had earlier expressed concern over the replacement of State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar with P.K. Chakraborty just before the Village Committee elections, alleging that the move could compromise the independence of the poll process and demanding that the government explain the reasons behind the change.
LOP Chowdhury alleged that Pradip Kumar Chakraborty had repeatedly been reappointed in the Chief Minister’s Office despite facing allegations of corruption, claiming that the extensions were intended to secure favourable administrative decisions that benefited the ruling establishment.
He further alleged that, instead of facing action, Chakraborty had been “rewarded” with the post of State Election Commissioner by replacing Manoj Kumar, who had assumed office only about six months ago.
Chowdhury questioned the timing of Kumar’s removal, alleging that it followed the BJP’s defeat to TIPRA Motha in the recently concluded TTAADC elections, and claimed that Chakraborty’s appointment was aimed at influencing the forthcoming Village Committee elections in favour of the ruling party which the Chief Minister has rejected.
