By Firstdespatch Desk Feb 12, 2026
Agartala, Feb 12 (FD) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday sharply criticised the Left Front over the statewide bandh call, asserting that such protest politics no longer finds support in the state. He alleged that the opposition was attempting to mislead workers while pursuing its own political interests.
Speaking to reporters, Saha claimed that normal life across Tripura remained largely unaffected despite the 12-hour nationwide general strike called by Left parties and central trade unions. “The movement of people and vehicles is normal. Bandh politics now does not work,” he said. The Chief Minister further alleged that those claiming to represent labourers “only pretend to speak for labour and working-class people” while acting in their own interest.
Saha accused the previous Left Front government of damaging industrial growth during its tenure. Drawing a comparison with neighbouring West Bengal, he remarked, “There were so many factories in Tripura, but they shut them all down, making the poor poorer.” He maintained that the present government, along with the Centre, is focused on development and inclusive welfare.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Saha referred to the slogans “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” and “Sabka Prayas,” and cited schemes such as the Vishwakarma Yojana. According to him, these initiatives are aimed at empowering marginalised communities, including sections of the Janajati population.
The Chief Minister also claimed that public support for bandh calls has declined significantly over the years. “They are now playing old records. Those who were once against each other have now come together. People are never going to accept them,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) launched a strong attack on the BJP-led governments at both the Centre and in Tripura, alleging that recent policy decisions have endangered workers, farmers, and the agricultural sector. A large rally was organised in Agartala in support of the nationwide strike, with party leaders describing it as a protest against “anti-worker and anti-labour policies.”
Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the agitation was aimed at resisting the implementation of the four new Labour Codes and other economic reforms. The Left parties also opposed the proposed replacement of MGNREGA with the new ‘G Ram G’ bill, demanding restoration of guaranteed rural employment provisions.
However, government offices, semi-government bodies, autonomous institutions, and educational establishments functioned normally across the state. Police sources said more than twenty picketers were arrested from different areas, and no major incidents of blockade or violence were reported. FD JK