Communists used to collect contributions from the poor and loot them for 25 years: Biplab

Agartala, Apr 22, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Agartala: April 22: In a significant political development, Biplab Kumar Deb, Chief Minister of Tripura, has vociferously criticized the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) during an election rally in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in the East Tripura constituency.

During the rally organized by the Kalyanpur Pramodnagar Mandal, Shri Deb highlighted the alleged exploitation of the poor by the communists over a span of 25 years. He asserted that the CPM’s practice of collecting contributions from impoverished citizens had left them disconnected from the genuine hardships faced by the underprivileged.

The Chief Minister contrasted the BJP’s governance with the previous communist regime. He claimed that under the BJP-led administration, there had been no politically motivated murders of communist workers. In stark contrast, during the CPM’s rule, Kalyanpur witnessed violence, with several Congress workers losing their lives due to election-related incidents.

Interestingly, Deb pointed out the evolving dynamics between the Congress and the CPM. Despite being adversaries for 35 years, the two parties now share a seemingly amicable relationship. In Tripura, other opposition groups, including the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), TIPRA Motha, and the Tripura Socialist Unity (TSU), have consistently opposed the communists. Their stance has never been against the BJP, which they view as an alternative to the long-standing communist rule.

Using a touch of sarcasm, the Chief Minister recalled the days when Tripura residents allegedly consumed “capsule rice” during the CPM’s tenure. This reference alluded to the purported exploitation of the poor by the communists, who allegedly profited from their contributions.

Furthermore, Deb highlighted the issue of permanent residence for refugees in Tripura. He claimed that during the communist era, the Bru (Reang) community did not receive a satisfactory resolution. Allegedly, CPIM cadres took commissions from funds meant for refugee welfare. In contrast, the BJP government, despite being only 6 years old, has successfully addressed the issue, ensuring permanent settlement for the refugees.

As the election approaches, Deb urged voters to bid farewell to the communists by supporting the BJP-nominated candidate, Kriti Singh Debbarma, in the East Tripura Lok Sabha seat.