CPI (M) State Secretary accuses Minister of Power and Agriculture of misconduct ahead of by-elections

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Aug 28, 2023

Agartala, Aug 28 (FD) The CPI (M) state secretary and central committee member, Jiten Chowdhury, has strongly criticized ,the Minister for Power and Agriculture, Ratan Lal Nath, alleging that Nath has exhibited signs of "losing his mental balance" due to the anticipated defeat in the upcoming by-elections for the Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly constituencies. The verbal clash escalated after Ratan Lal Nath's recent statement, wherein he predicted that CPI (M) would withdraw from the race before midday, citing an impending certain loss.

Responding to Nath's comments during a press interaction at the party headquarters in Melarmath, Jiten Chowdhury accused the BJP of employing unethical tactics to sway the polls. He revealed that a formal complaint had been filed with the election commission and the chief electoral officer's office, alleging that BJP ministers, including Ratan Lal Nath, were distributing cash and sarees in an attempt to influence voters. 

Chowdhury further expressed concerns about potential disruptions during polling, claiming that after noon on the election day, BJP might deploy elements and anti-social groups to expel CPI (M) polling agents from both constituencies. He urged the election commission to ensure a fair and transparent election process.

Exuding confidence in the CPI (M)'s prospects, Jiten Chowdhury dismissed Nath's statement as a threat to democracy, accusing it of indirectly endorsing disorder by encouraging misbehavior. He rallied voters in Dhanpur and Boxanagar to send a message to BJP through the upcoming by-elections. Emphasizing that the BJP ministers were apprehensive of their looming defeat, Chowdhury asserted that their desperate rhetoric would not deter the CPI (M) from its pursuit of victory. FD SB