Former CM Deb blames CPI-M for rise of regional parties in Tripura

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Aug 31, 2023

Agartala, Aug 31 (FD) Former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha member Biplab Kumar Deb has pointed fingers at the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), which held power in Tripura for a significant period, allegedly responsible for the emergence of regional parties in the state.

Speaking at a rally supporting the BJP candidate ahead of the September 5 by-election to the Dhanpur assembly seat, Deb asserted that the exploitation and mistreatment carried out by the CPI (M) had led to the formation of regional groups like Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti (TUJS), Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT), and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT).

Deb underscored that while these regional parties once considered local voters their stronghold, the political landscape had transformed. He criticized Manik Sarkar of the CPI (M) for failing to address the issues faced by Reang refugees arriving from neighboring Mizoram in 1998 during his tenure as Chief Minister.

Deb attributed the positive shift in addressing the refugee issue to the BJP-IPFT coalition government, which came to power in the 2018 assembly elections. He commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP National President JP Nadda for their efforts in resolving the refugee crisis.

Deb highlighted a historic accord that enabled Bru refugees to settle permanently in Tripura, which was signed by key figures including Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya and IPFT president NC Debbarma.

Additionally, Deb pointed out the CPI (M)'s failure to secure a single Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved seat in the 2023 assembly elections, signaling a significant loss of influence for the party among tribal communities. He noted the party's inability to make headway in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, despite portraying itself as a guardian of indigenous interests. FD SB JK