Agartala: Tripura’s political atmosphere turned increasingly charged on Tuesday as CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury accused the BJP-led government of weakening democratic institutions and using the state as a “laboratory” for its political agenda.

Addressing a public rally at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala, organised as part of the three-day state conference of the All India Krishak Sabha (AIKS), Chaudhury alleged that democratic rights were being curtailed and people were being discouraged from participating in political programmes.

He claimed vehicles carrying participants were stopped at several locations and some people were allegedly threatened with the withdrawal of government benefits if they attended the rally. Despite the alleged restrictions, Chaudhury said farmers, agricultural workers, Jumia cultivators, women and other sections participated in large numbers.

“Democracy is being plundered and the Constitution is being rendered dysfunctional in Tripura,” he alleged, targeting the BJP government.

Chaudhury also raised questions over the recent death of the state’s Director General of Police, citing concerns over law and order and demanding greater transparency and accountability. He questioned how ordinary citizens could feel secure if the state’s top police officer was allegedly not safe.

The CPI(M) leader also challenged the government’s claims regarding employment generation, questioning why vacancies continued to exist in schools, hospitals, health centres and government offices despite a large number of appointments and outsourced engagements.

Referring to figures cited by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Chaudhury claimed around 22,000 regular appointments and nearly 26,000 outsourced engagements had been made. He questioned why vacancies remained if nearly 48,000 personnel had been added to the administration.

He further alleged that outsourcing had become a means of political patronage and accused sections of the administration of operating through “Mafia Raj” and “Commission Raj”. He also criticised the condition of major roads connecting Agartala with northern Tripura.

The 22nd State Conference of AIKS was held at Agartala Town Hall, with farmers, activists and supporters from across the state participating. Senior CPI(M) leaders Pabitra Kar and Chaudhury, along with AIKS central leadership member Hannan Mollah, attended the conference.

Deliberations focused on farmers’ issues, agriculture and strengthening the organisation. The conference was followed by a large public meeting, where Chaudhury called for unity among farmers, workers, youth and democratic forces ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections.