Agartala: Tripura CPI(M) leader Jitendra Chaudhury on Saturday accused the BJP-led government of failing to deliver on its promises during its seven years of governance in the northeastern state.
Speaking at a press conference, Chaudhury, who is also the leader of the opposition in the state Assembly, alleged that the BJP’s pre-election commitments had largely remained unfulfilled.
Once a Left stronghold, Tripura witnessed the BJP’s rise to power in 2018.
Chaudhury highlighted that the party had promised to provide 50,000 jobs in its first year but has since fallen silent on the matter.
He also pointed to unfulfilled pledges made by then-BJP national president Amit Shah, including 200 mandays of work under MGNREGA with a wage of Rs. 340.
“The BJP promised employment and fair wages, but today, job card holders receive an average of only 40 mandays of work, and payments are irregular despite their efforts,” Chaudhury remarked.
He further criticised the government for failing to implement the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommendations, which were a significant campaign promise during the 2018 elections.
“Government employees were misled with promises of 7th CPC implementation. Yet, the remaining 23% DA (Dearness Allowance), compared to 53% for central government employees, remains unpaid,” Chaudhury stated.
The CPI(M) leader also highlighted other unfulfilled promises, including establishing an AIIMS-like hospital, building a medical college in Dhalai district, and introducing an inland waterway within two years.
“These promises have turned into distant dreams, and BJP leaders have chosen silence over accountability,” he said.
As BJP national president JP Nadda and Chief Minister Manik Saha prepare to address a mega rally in Agartala to mark the second anniversary of the government, Chaudhury challenged them to address the unfulfilled commitments made to the people of Tripura.
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The opposition leader also alleged widespread corruption under the BJP-led government. He claimed that from the civil secretariat to gram panchayats, no work gets done without commissions ranging from 6% to 12%.
He accused a BJP minister’s brother, previously a Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cardholder, of becoming the state’s highest taxpayer, implying questionable means of wealth accumulation.
“Tripura has become a ‘maha kumbh’ of corruption under BJP rule. The promises they made to the people have been reduced to empty rhetoric while corrupt practices thrive at every level of governance,” Chaudhury concluded.
The BJP is yet to respond to these allegations.
