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Agartala, Oct 24 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said the BJP government is committed to ensuring all-round socio-economic development of the tribal (tribal) communities and will take every necessary step for their progress without any compromise.
Saha, former president of the BJP’s Tripura unit, welcomed 6,400 voters, mostly from tribal communities, who joined the BJP at a function in Krishnapur in Khowai district on Friday.
The latest mass addition took place just three days after 690 voters from 200 families, mostly tribals, joined the BJP in the presence of the Chief Minister at Takarjala in Sepahijala district on October 22.
Earlier this month, and last month, several hundred tribals also joined the BJP, further strengthening the party’s tribal base ahead of the politically crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections next year.
The Chief Minister said that the people of Tripura believe in peace, development and democracy and the present government will not tolerate the use of muscle power in the state under any circumstances.
In a veiled attack on BJP’s junior ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP), Saha said, “If anyone attacks us, we will give a befitting reply through legal means.”
The Chief Minister alleged that the activists of the tribal-based Tiprasa Civil Society (TCS) on Thursday carried out an armed agitation led by one person in the name of peaceful agitation and their true nature is now clear to all.
Saha said, “Today (Friday) 6,400 voters have joined the BJP. You have taken the right decision at the right time. Without the BJP, TTAADC, the state or the country cannot move in the right direction. I welcome all those who have joined the BJP today.”
He reminded that during a similar event organized in Takrajala recently, some miscreants wearing masks of Tipra Motha party had attacked BJP supporters who were going to attend the event.
Without naming TMP MLA Ranjit Debbarma, the Chief Minister said that a movement is being run under the leadership of such a person (wearing a mask) in the name of civil society.
“What kind of movement is this? During the 24-hour bandh on Thursday, they attacked our workers, a BDO, an engineer, an SDPO and others with sticks and then called it a peaceful movement! What kind of movement are they talking about?” he asked.
Questioning the leadership of TMP, Saha said that whenever they feel that the situation is going against them, they create an atmosphere of unrest.
He said, “After a few days they will again say that they want peace. But now, their real face has come out in front of everyone.”
Without naming TMP, Saha claimed that the party had threatened people by saying that national parties like BJP would not be allowed to enter TTAADC areas.
“But the BJP can go anywhere in the country, no one can stop us. I am warning them that such moves may work temporarily, but they will not last long. One of the major goals of the BJP is the overall development of the tribal people,” the Chief Minister said.
He said that during the last TTAADC elections (in 2021), when he was the state president of BJP, he visited several areas where BJP offices were vandalized.
“Even the photograph of the then king Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur was thrown on the ground,” he said. Saha said Tripura saw 35 years of Left rule and five years of Congress rule, and neither party ever respected the Maharajas (kings).
“After the BJP came to power, the Agartala airport was renamed after Maharaja Bir Bikram. A statue of the Maharaja has been installed at Kaman Chaumuhani in the heart of the capital. In his honour, his birthday, August 19, has been declared a public holiday,” he said.
The Chief Minister further said that since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, special emphasis has been laid on the welfare and upliftment of tribals.
“The honorarium of tribal community leaders in the state has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. Officers have been appointed at sub-district and district levels to implement special projects of the Center and the state for the welfare of tribals,” he said.
BJP President and Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Bhatterjee, Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, BJP General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, former MP Rebati Tripura, District President Binay Debbarma, TTADC member Bidyut Debbarma and other parties were present in the program.
–IANS
SC/PGH