Agartala, Nov 5: The BJP on Thursday showcased its organisational strength in Mohanpur ahead of the November 27 urban local body elections, as party candidates for the Mohanpur Municipal Council took out a colourful, high-energy rally before submitting their nomination papers to Returning Officer and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shantanu Bikas Das.
Agriculture and Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, the BJP MLA representing Mohanpur, led the rally, which saw the participation of hundreds of party supporters. The procession covered a distance of over two kilometres, accompanied by music, enthusiastic slogans and a display of the party’s electoral mobilisation.
Speaking to reporters, Nath said the BJP would seek a fresh mandate primarily on its development record, highlighting social progress, economic growth and infrastructure expansion since the party formed the government in Tripura.
He also launched a sharp attack on the Congress and CPI(M), questioning the Congress’s decision to move closer to the Left and alleging that the national opposition party had increasingly come under the influence of the communists.
His remarks assume significance against the backdrop of the Congress’s recent decision to contest the municipal elections independently, ruling out an electoral understanding with the CPI(M)-led Left Front despite their joint political activities under the INDIA bloc on issues including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress leaders, including Sudip Roy Barman, had raised concerns over the CPI(M)’s alleged big-brother attitude in alliance discussions.
On SIR, Nath argued that the electoral exercise had been conducted several times across the country and questioned the opposition’s attempt to attribute its electoral setbacks to the process.
He cited Congress’s inability to win elections in several states, including Tripura, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, to challenge its allegations.
Nath added that people are now aware of the Communist and Congress who are being funded by foreign money to create disturbances across India.
Asked about the BJP’s electoral strategy and its political equations with Tipra Motha, Nath said the party would decide its own tactics, expressing confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would find an appropriate political approach while ensuring the development of tribal communities.
On Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma’s recent decision to step away from politics, the senior BJP leader said he had spoken to him and clarified that Debbarma had only withdrawn from active political engagements, while remaining committed to working for the development and welfare of the people.
He maintained that development, rather than opposition calculations, would remain central to the BJP’s electoral campaign.
One the day eight out of the total 15 BJP candidates submitted their nominations to SDM Mohanpur.
