Agartala, Tripura: The political atmosphere in Tripura intensified today as CPI(M) State Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Jitendra Chaudhury, held a press conference to deliver a stinging rebuttal to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s recent remarks. Chaudhury accused the Chief Minister of distorting history and making “irresponsible” statements regarding the previous Left Front government.
Rebuttal to Chief Minister’s Comments
The tension stems from a public event held yesterday, where the Chief Minister criticized the 25-year rule of the Left Front, alleging that the previous administration stalled development and fostered a culture of violence.
Responding to these claims, Jitendra Chaudhury stated that the Chief Minister’s comments were not only far from the truth but were an attempt to divert public attention from the current administration’s “failures.”
“The Chief Minister is living in a world of denial. The foundations of education, health, and rural infrastructure in Tripura were built during the Left Front regime. To dismiss decades of progress with political rhetoric is an insult to the people of this state,” Chaudhury remarked.
Critique of the Home Ministry’s Conduct
In a particularly sharp critique, Chaudhury took aim at the Chief Minister’s role as the Home Minister of the state. He expressed disbelief at how a person holding such a sensitive constitutional post could make “unsubstantiated and erratic” statements.
Key points raised by Chaudhury included:
- Law and Order: He challenged the CM to look at the current crime statistics instead of blaming the past.
- Administrative Integrity: Chaudhury alleged that the Home Department has become a tool for political vendetta rather than public safety.
- Provocative Speech: He questioned the decorum of the Chief Minister, stating that a Home Minister should focus on “facts and files” rather than “political mudslinging” during official functions.
Call for Accountability
The veteran CPIM leader demanded that the state government focus on addressing the rising unemployment and the “collapse” of the rural economy instead of constantly looking in the rearview mirror. He emphasized that the opposition would continue to expose the “hollow promises” of the ruling government.
“If the Chief Minister thinks he can hide his department’s inability to control crime by attacking the Left Front, he is mistaken. The people of Tripura are watching the discrepancy between his words and the reality on the ground,” Chaudhury added.
