By Firstdespatch Desk Aug 14, 2026
Agartala, Aug 14 (FD) A fresh political controversy has erupted in Tripura following remarks by Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha at Kailashahar in Unakoti district, in which he launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and the previous Left Front government. Sarkar has strongly reacted to the remarks, triggering a renewed political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the opposition.
Speaking at programmes organised to inaugurate several development projects and lay foundation stones in Kailashahar, Saha criticised the former Chief Minister and his political associates over their recent political activities and movements.
Referring to the Left Front’s 35-year rule in the state, Saha said that after losing power, the former Chief Minister and his associates appeared eager to return to the “chair”. He questioned their renewed focus on political movements and their claims of representing ordinary and working-class people.
The Chief Minister also alleged a difference between the “face” and the “mask” of those now leading various movements and questioned the appropriateness of such political activities by leaders who had governed the state for decades.
Saha’s remarks drew sharp reactions from opposition circles, which accused the ruling establishment of focusing on the previous government instead of addressing what they described as shortcomings in the present administration.
Reacting to the Chief Minister, former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar accused the government of allegedly resorting to falsehoods to conceal its own weaknesses. He said Saha’s remarks reflected political anxiety rather than a substantive response to the issues being raised by the opposition.
Sarkar also objected to references linking political movements with Bangladesh and foreign politics. He maintained that political movements are an integral part of democratic practice and argued that raising issues concerning ordinary people should not be portrayed as an attempt to create instability.
Questioning the government’s claims of satisfactory governance and development, Sarkar asked why the ruling side appeared concerned about opposition activities if the state was progressing as claimed.
The exchange has once again brought the contrasting political narratives of the BJP-led government and the former Left Front administration into sharp focus. While the ruling side continues to highlight its development initiatives and criticise the previous government’s 35-year tenure, the opposition has increasingly focused on governance, employment, public services and issues affecting ordinary people.
The latest verbal clash assumes significance as political activities intensify in the state ahead of future electoral battles. It has also revived the long-running debate over the record of the previous Left Front government and the performance of the present BJP-led administration. FD JK