Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said politics based on ethnicity and communal considerations is undesirable and alleged that certain demands, such as Tipraland or Greater Tipraland, are being raised to mislead people.
Addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) public meeting at Demdum in Fatikrai under Unakoti district, Saha said several movements had sought to “mislead or fool people” by projecting such demands.
“These misleading political activities are being carried out using our innocent Janajati brothers and sisters. Our Prime Minister is working for the welfare of the people while keeping an eye on everything,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the state government is working for the socio-economic development of all sections of society and is committed to transparency in governance.
“Our government is trying to run the state with transparency. We seek the socio-economic development of people from all sections of society. We want to create a new Tripura with people from all communities,” he said.
Saha said the government is making efforts for the development of Kokborok and other minority languages and aims to empower tribal communities while preserving their culture and traditions.
“In this budget as well, a substantial allocation has been made for the development of the Janajati community. This government is committed to ensuring respect for the Janajati people. We want their culture and traditions to remain intact,” he said.
Referring to the political climate in the state, Saha said a “strange situation” was prevailing and contrasted present governance with earlier political practices.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed the nature of politics across India. Earlier, politics meant grabbing power, looting, and corruption. But the Prime Minister has demonstrated that the country can be governed without corruption scandals. Our Tripura government is also striving to run the state with transparency. We seek the socio-economic development of people from all sections and aim to empower tribal communities,” he said.
He also questioned the foreign visits of ministers associated with the Autonomous District Council (ADC).
“Think about the state government we are running. How many ministers of the state government have gone abroad? Yet, they are traveling to foreign countries while running the ADC. Where do they get this money from? We do not even have the ability to travel abroad. Looting is taking place all around,” he said.
At the meeting, 215 voters from 57 families joined the BJP, party leaders said.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, Scheduled Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das, MLA Swapna Das Paul, BJP General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, Unakoti district president Amalendu Das, Dhalai district president Pratiram Tripura, and other party leaders were present at the programme.