Ex-Tripura CM Manik Sarkar Attacks Tipra Motha, BJP, Says Both Losing Public Support

First Published: 8th September, 2026 22:16 IST 'Emotion does not help solve the basic problems being faced by the people,' Sarkar said Written By Northeast Live Digital Desk Former Tripura Chief Minister and senior CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar on Tuesday launched a sharp political attack on the ruling BJP and TIPRA Motha, claiming that both parties were losing public support as voters assessed their performance against their electoral promises. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the last date for nomination submission process for the September 28 Village Committee elections, Sarkar said a section of tribal youth had been mobilised through 'emotion' by Motha during recent elections, but such mobilisation could not resolve their basic problems. 'Emotion does not help solve the basic problems being faced by the people,' Sarkar said, asserting that voters were now drawing conclusions from their own experiences. Targeting the BJP, Sarkar accused the state and Central governments of failing in governance and alleged that the BJP's functioning was marked by corruption and a 'dictatorial' approach. He also alleged that the government was spending heavily on publicity while people were seeing little improvement in their daily lives and massive corruption have been added under the present government. 'People have been realising all these things from their daily experiences,' he said. Sarkar also targeted TIPRA Motha, alleging that the regional party had been 'exposed' by its performance in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). He claimed that both parties were losing credibility even among sections of their supporters, with people questioning what they had actually received against the promises made to them. Sarkar said some people were now openly asserting that there was 'no alternative to Left Front government', while acknowledging that previous Left Front governments too had limitations. He maintained, however, that the Left Front had sought to work in the broader interests of people irrespective of 'caste, colour and creed'. The CPI(M) leader also questioned the prolonged delay in holding the Village Committee elections, covering 587 Village Committees and 4,597 seats. Sarkar alleged that opposition candidates were facing pressure during the nomination process and claimed that candidates in several areas had been prevented from filing nominations or subsequently forced to withdraw. Referring to alleged incidents in Hejamala and Jampuijala, he claimed that nomination papers of opposition candidates were snatched and torn despite police personnel being present. 'These are not stories, these are facts,' Sarkar said. He alleged that such incidents reflected 'insecurity' among those in power, arguing that a free contest could allow opposition candidates to campaign and voters to exercise their franchise without pressure. With the Village Committee polls being held after a prolonged gap, the election has emerged as an important test of the political standing of the BJP and TIPRA Motha in Tripura's tribal areas. Also Read: TTAADC Village Council Polls: Tipra Motha, BJP Leaders File Nominations Post Views: 3 Tags: BJP TIPRA Motha Tripura