Agartala, Nov 15 :Former Tripura Chief Minister and senior CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar on Sunday criticised Chief Minister Manik Saha over his recent remarks on alleged poll-related violence at Colonel Chowmuhani, claiming that his comments could encourage troublemakers belonging to the ruling BJP.
Sarkar made the remarks after visiting the residences of party workers who were allegedly attacked and injured during a campaign-related incident in the area.
Speaking to reporters, the veteran Left leader said the incident took place when CPI(M) workers were putting up publicity materials and participating in door-to-door campaigning ahead of the upcoming Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections.
“While returning home after completing their campaign activities, they were attacked. Some of them sustained serious injuries,” Sarkar alleged.
He said local residents, including women, had protested against the incident soon after it occurred, expressing their resentment over the alleged assault on the opposition workers.
Sarkar also claimed that some senior BJP leaders from the locality had expressed reservations over the incident.
Reacting to Saha’s reported remarks that opposition parties might be making allegations of violence to gain public sympathy, Sarkar said the Chief Minister should have taken the matter seriously instead of dismissing the allegations.
“The Chief Minister’s reaction to the incident has been widely reported in newspapers, and it is not at all satisfactory,” he said.
Sarkar alleged that the Chief Minister’s comments sought to create an impression that opposition parties were portraying themselves as victims of violence to gain public support.
Such statements could provide encouragement to those responsible for creating disturbances, he claimed.
The former Chief Minister said the government should take cognisance of complaints of political violence and ensure that opposition candidates and workers could participate in election-related activities without fear.
He also stressed the need for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the November 27 municipal elections.
The CPI(M) leader’s remarks came amid allegations of poll-related violence and political confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition parties during campaigning for the civic polls.
