Agartala: Dec 28: The controversy surrounding former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s remarks on the “Promo Fest-2024” has sparked a heated debate. Sarkar questioned the allocation of seven crore rupees for the festival, which led to a sharp counterattack from Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.
Chowdhury accused Sarkar of spreading false information and misleading the public, stating that such comments were unbecoming of a senior CPI(M) leader. He also claimed that Sarkar had become politically irrelevant and his comments reflected his own frustration .
The Tourism Minister further criticized the CPI(M) government, saying that during Sarkar’s 20-year rule, the tourism department had no meaningful existence. Instead, it was used as a tool for the party’s political needs, with officials focusing on organizing events for party rallies rather than promoting tourism.
Chowdhury also pointed out that extremist violence during the Left Front’s rule discouraged tourists from visiting remote areas, fearing abductions and safety concerns. He concluded that the success of the “Promo Fest-2024” had irked Sarkar, reflecting the growing popularity of the current government’s initiatives.
When asked about the expenditures on the festival, Chowdhury said he didn’t have enough data at the moment but would provide details soon. The “Promo Fest-2024” aimed to promote Tripura’s tourism, culture, and heritage, with a goal to increase tourist footfall by 39-50%.
