Launching a sharp political attack, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Ashish Kumar Saha on Wednesday alleged that the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is being misused to serve the interests of ruling party members, calling it “nothing but a BJP fund.” His remarks have intensified the political debate over the distribution of state relief resources in Tripura.
Addressing a press conference, Saha strongly criticized the state government’s decision to extend financial assistance from the Relief Fund exclusively to workers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who were reportedly affected by post-election violence following the ADC polls. He described the move as unethical, discriminatory, and reflective of a biased approach in governance.
Saha emphasized that political violence in the state is not a recent phenomenon. He pointed out that workers from the Congress and other parties, including CPI(M), had also suffered similar attacks in the past but did not receive comparable assistance. “Those who were victims earlier deserve equal support from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” he asserted.
Referring to recent incidents allegedly involving supporters of Tipra Motha after the ADC election results, Saha acknowledged that providing financial help to affected families is the responsibility of the government. However, he stressed that such aid must not be limited to members of any single political party.
“The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund belongs to everyone — whether they are from the ruling party, opposition, or ordinary citizens. It should not be distributed selectively,” Saha said, underlining the need for fairness.
He further accused the government of using public funds for political gain and demanded equal financial assistance for all victims of political violence, regardless of their affiliations. Calling for greater transparency, Saha urged authorities to adopt an impartial mechanism in disbursing relief so that no deserving family is excluded due to political considerations.
