Agartala, April 23:
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday accused the Opposition INDIA alliance of obstructing the passage of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to provide 33 per cent reservation for women, and alleged a recurring pattern of political violence in the state following the TTAADC elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Agartala, Saha said the Bill’s failure in the Lok Sabha on April 17 reflects what he termed the Opposition’s “anti-women stance.”
He specifically targeted parties such as the Indian National Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), asserting that their position has once again undermined efforts to enhance women’s representation in governance. Several women ministers and MLAs were present alongside him during the briefing.
Addressing the volatile situation in the aftermath of the ADC polls, Saha alleged that the TIPRA Motha has adopted methods reminiscent of earlier political regimes in the state.
He claimed that incidents of violence and intimidation are part of a deeper, long-standing trend.
Drawing from past electoral experiences, the Chief Minister said such patterns have been visible since the early 2000s, where disturbances begin ahead of elections, persist during polling, and continue well after results are declared.
He compared the situation with political developments in West Bengal, suggesting a structured approach to influencing electoral outcomes.
Saha maintained that the government is attempting systemic reforms while working to broaden its political base.
He indicated that efforts to bring individuals from other parties into the BJP fold may have contributed to tensions on the ground.
While acknowledging that some untoward incidents have taken place despite preventive measures, the Chief Minister said law enforcement agencies have acted promptly to contain the situation.
He also noted that similar election-related tensions are being reported in states like West Bengal.
Saha concluded by stating that while intelligence and advance planning are important, they are not sufficient on their own to fully prevent such occurrences, emphasizing the need for sustained administrative vigilance.
The statement comes at a time when Tripura continues to witness sharp political exchanges over allegations of post-poll violence, with both ruling and opposition parties trading charges.
