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CPIM Alleges Political Bias Over Rally Venue Denial; CM Calls Accusation Unnecessary Politicisation

First Published: 27th January, 2025 21:25 IST

Chief Minister Manik Saha dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused the CPIM of unnecessarily politicising the issue.

A political row has erupted in Tripura as the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPIM] accused the Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP]-led state government of deliberate political bias after being denied permission to hold a rally at Swami Vivekananda Maidan Stadium in Agartala. The rally, part of the CPIM’s 24th state-level conference, is scheduled for January 29.

CPIM state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury claimed that the party had submitted its application a month ago to secure the venue. However, the government rejected the request, citing a pre-planned Self-Help Group (SHG) fair scheduled for the same date and location.

Chaudhury alleged that the SHG fair was purposefully arranged to prevent the CPIM event, calling it a politically motivated decision. He argued that the fair could have been postponed to accommodate the rally, which he claims is expected to draw a significant turnout of people dissatisfied with the government.

When Chaudhury approached Chief Minister Manik Saha to request an alternative venue, such as the Umakanth school ground, the Chief Minister reportedly assured him he would consider the request. However, according to Chaudhury, the government failed to follow through.

Former Chief Minister and CPIM politburo member Manik Sarkar further criticised the BJP-led administration, accusing it of stifling democratic expression. Sarkar announced that the rally would proceed as planned, even without official permission. He stressed that denying the venue was a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and silence public frustration over the government’s unfulfilled promises and lack of action.

Sarkar lambasted the BJP-led government for failing to address pressing issues in the state, claiming that public disillusionment with its performance is growing. He stated that such tactics of interference would not deter the CPIM or suppress the voices of the people.

In response, Chief Minister Manik Saha dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused the CPIM of unnecessarily politicising the issue. He argued that the SHG fair had been scheduled in advance and questioned why the CPIM could not adjust its rally date accordingly.

Regarding the request to use the school ground, Saha said allowing a rally on a weekday would disrupt classes and suggested that the CPIM consider non-working days for such events.

Saha criticised the CPIM for its inability to adapt, attributing the party’s loss of power after over three decades of dominance in Tripura to its rigid and self-serving approach. He added that the party’s current actions only highlight its unwillingness to prioritise public welfare over its own agenda.

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