Agartala, April 01, 2024: The BJP candidate for the West Tripura Lok Sabha seat Biplab Kumar Deb made a poignant accusation against the Congress party. He claimed that Congress was responsible for the tragic loss of 14 lives, including that of Sridam Paul, husband of former CPIM Rajya Sabha MP Jharna Das Paul Baidya, at Birchandra Manu in South Tripura district. In a symbolic gesture of defiance and mourning, Jharna Didi is now set to cast her vote in favour of Congress candidate Asish Kumar Saha on April 19 next.

In a high-octane election rally in Ramnagar on Monday, Deb did not mince words as he held the Congress and the CPIM accountable for a history of violence in Tripura. He alleged that numerous lives were lost to political violence during the times when each party was in power. In a striking turn of events, he noted that Congress has now allied with the CPIM, a move he described as an unholy alliance.

He further criticized the CPIM’s long-standing rule in Tripura, suggesting that it was maintained not through development or governance but through the support of Congress leaders. Deb questioned the CPIM’s legitimacy to rule for 25 years, given what he perceives as their lack of contribution to the state’s progress.

In a scathing attack on Manik Sarkar, the four-time chief minister of Tripura and a member of the CPIM’s Politburo, Deb used sarcasm to highlight the ideological shift implied by voting with the Congress hand sign, a symbol associated with the Congress, after a lifetime of allegiance to the hammer and sickle, the emblem of communism. He expressed disbelief that Sarkar would make such a transition, suggesting it would be a betrayal requiring atonement to the people of Tripura.

Deb concluded his rally by addressing the CPIM candidate Ratan Das, stating that the BJP already possesses two ‘Ratans’ (jewels), implying there is no need for another. This statement was part of a broader critique of the opposition, as Deb stands firm in his campaign for the West Tripura constituency.