Agartala, February 17:
The Tripura Pradesh Congress on Tuesday organized a Raj Bhavan Abhiyan in Agartala, protesting against the BJP-led Central Government over alleged dilution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Hundreds of party supporters carrying flags and banners joined the rally, which began at Swami Vivekananda Maidan. A strong police presence prevented the procession from advancing toward the Raj Bhavan, stopping it at the Buddhamanir area.
Senior leaders, including state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha, MLA Birajit Sinha, and former Minister and MLA Sudip Roy Barman, addressed the gathering and sharply criticized the Narendra Modi-led government.
Speaking to reporters, Roy Barman described MGNREGA as a “historic scheme” introduced by Congress and accused the Centre of weakening its core provisions. He alleged that the right to demand work has been curtailed, making employment under the scheme increasingly difficult. He further claimed that financial and planning powers once vested in Panchayats have been reduced and that states are now required to bear up to 40 percent of the financial burden, potentially impacting rural livelihoods.
Roy Barman also took aim at the ongoing exchange between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the TIPRA Motha Party ahead of the TTAADC elections, calling it a “got-up drama.” Referring to the debate between Chief Minister Manik Saha and TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarma over the Roman script issue for Kokborok, he alleged the dispute was politically motivated.
Congress leaders asserted that their party supports the Roman script, arguing that indigenous communities have the right to choose their preferred script. They maintained that pressing concerns like rural employment and livelihood security should take precedence over political theatrics.
