Political tensions escalated in Tripura following the announcement of Bihar assembly election results, with multiple offices of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) coming under attack across the state.
Opposition Leader Condemns Violence
CPI(M) Politburo member and Leader of Opposition in Tripura, Jitendra Chaudhury, strongly condemned the attacks and called for democratic forces to unite against what he described as "BJP-backed violence".
"Soon after the Bihar poll results, BJP-backed miscreants started attacking the Opposition, especially the CPI(M). One of their party members even publicly said that if the CPI(M) organized any programme, its members will be attacked and taught a lesson," Chaudhury told reporters in Agartala on Sunday.
Allegations and Police Complaints
The Sabroom MLA expressed concern over what he called a "deformed mentality" behind the attacks. "The victory in Bihar may be celebrated, but looting other party offices, setting fire on them here... What kind of deformed mentality is this? In the future, the prime task for all democratic forces will be to confront this jointly," he stated.
Chaudhury also raised questions about the Bihar election process, noting that while 7.42 crore people were enrolled for voting according to Election Commission data, the number of votes polled was 7.45 crore.
In a related development, CPI(M) leader Amal Chakraborty filed a formal complaint with a local police station in Agartala against a BJP mandal leader from Barjala area. The complaint references a viral video where the BJP leader is purportedly seen threatening CPI(M) members with dire consequences unless they stopped all political activities.
Government Response and Counter-Allegations
Tripura Chief Minister and BJP leader Dr Manik Saha responded to the allegations on Monday, clearly stating that neither he nor his party endorses violence. "I have asked the police to provide me a detailed report of what happened, and what was said in the purported threat and why," Saha assured.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, however, blamed the former Left Front and Congress governments for creating an atmosphere of political violence in the state. This counter-allegation adds another layer to the ongoing political confrontation in Tripura.
The incidents occurred after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance secured victory in the Bihar Assembly polls, the results of which were announced on Friday. Following the Bihar results, Chief Minister Saha had predicted that West Bengal would be the next state to witness significant political changes.
The situation remains tense in Tripura as political parties trade accusations while the state police investigates the incidents of violence against opposition party offices.
