Agartala, Oct 16 : Former Tripura chief minister and CPI(M) senior leader Manik Sarkar on Friday accused the BJP-led government of suppressing democratic protests, criticising the police action against demonstrators in New Delhi demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He was addressing a press conference in the CPI(M) headquarters in Agartala on Friday.
Sarkar’s remarks came days after he was among Left leaders detained by Delhi Police on October 10 while attempting to join a protest at Jantar Mantar seeking Kumar’s resignation. The demonstration was linked to concerns over electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission.
Referring to the protests, including the emerging youth-led movement, the senior CPI(M) leader alleged that the government was attempting to curb democratic dissent. He questioned whether the authorities were apprehensive about popular movements and described the alleged suppression of protests as reflecting an authoritarian approach.
He added that in neighbouring countries there has been protests against the regime and in India also the youths are raising their voices against the government which is trying to control them because they are afraid and scared and are supporting the Chief Election Commissioner as they are aware that he helped them to win elections in illegally by manipulating polls.
On opposition unity in Tripura, Sarkar said it was premature to draw conclusions about a possible understanding between the Congress and Left parties against the BJP in the state.
The CPI(M) had begun its organisational preparations for the coming elections, including identifying candidates and conducting door-to-door outreach, he said.
Sarkar indicated that any potential understanding among Left, democratic and secular parties would depend on discussions among their leaders in the coming days. He neither announced an alliance nor ruled out the possibility.
Turning to Tripura, Sarkar extended full support to TET-qualified candidates protesting for recruitment and urged Chief Minister Manik Saha to meet them and address their grievances.
“Why is the Chief Minister not talking to these boys and girls?” he asked, criticising the government for allowing the agitation to continue.
Sarkar said the candidates had cleared the examination and deserved clarity on recruitment. He also highlighted the shortage of teachers in schools and alleged that the government’s handling of the protest was undemocratic and inhuman.
On TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Deb Burman’s announcement that he would step away from active politics, Sarkar said the reasons behind the decision could best be explained by Deb Burman himself.
Acknowledging that the regional leader had been facing physical difficulties, Sarkar said he hoped Deb Burman would recover and left open the possibility of his return to active politics.
“I have had no discussion or talks with him during this period,” Sarkar said, adding that Deb Burman would have to decide his future political course.
The announcement has drawn attention to the future of the tripartite agreement involving the Centre, the Tripura government and TIPRA Motha, aimed at addressing issues concerning the state’s indigenous population.
