Agartala, August 24: With elections to village committees under the Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) approaching, CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP and Tipra Motha, accusing both parties of using indigenous sentiments for political gains while tribal communities continue to face unemployment, food insecurity and inadequate basic amenities.
Addressing a protest organised by the CPI(M)-affiliated Ganamukti Parishad, Tribal Youth Federation and Tribal Students Union at Vivekananda Maidan, Chaudhury alleged that Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, being a key figure in the ADC’s political affairs, could not distance himself from alleged corruption and administrative irregularities.
He accused Tipra Motha leaders of repeatedly raising emotional issues such as Tipra Pradesh, Tiprasa identity and greater political and constitutional rights without delivering sufficient improvements in the daily lives of tribal people.
According to Chaudhury, several ADC areas continue to struggle with inadequate roads, drinking water, employment opportunities, food security and other basic services. He also alleged that some political leaders associated with Tipra Motha, IPFT and the BJP had accumulated considerable wealth in recent years.
The CPI(M) leader further alleged corruption, nepotism and irregularities in the functioning of the TTAADC. Referring to a Public Interest Litigation pending before the Tripura High Court, he claimed that the ADC had acknowledged that more than 250 appointments were made over the past five years without advertisements, interviews or following prescribed recruitment procedures.
Chaudhury demanded cancellation of appointments found to be illegal and a probe into the alleged irregularities. He also claimed that more than 300 retired ADC employees were facing difficulties in receiving pensions and other dues.
Questioning the political relationship between Tipra Motha and the BJP, Chaudhury alleged that repeated assurances to act against corruption had not resulted in concrete action. He claimed that political cooperation between the two parties had weakened effective scrutiny of governance issues.
He also criticised the BJP-led state government over vacancies and unemployment among young people, particularly in tribal areas, and alleged that the concerns of ordinary communities had not received adequate attention.
The CPI(M) leader questioned the delay in holding village committee elections and alleged that political negotiations were being used to delay the process.
The protestors submitted a seven-point charter of demands, including a probe into alleged corruption, review of disputed ADC appointments, filling government vacancies, strengthening the constitutional powers of autonomous councils, and addressing employment and basic needs in tribal areas.
Chaudhury said the CPI(M) would take these issues before voters in the upcoming village committee elections.
