Jitendra Chaudhury also referred to BJP MLA Sudhangshu Das as a “habitual offender” and attacked him for his recent contentious statement regarding the Pahalgam terror attack.
On Friday, Tripura Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, a CPI(M) leader, responded to Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore’s recent statement that he maintains good relations with both the Congress and BJP but not with the CPI(M). Chaudhury expressed gratitude for Kishore’s candor, stating, “I’m not unhappy with his remarks. I appreciate that he spoke the truth. The CPI(M) stands apart—we never bow to power or vested interests.”
Chaudhury accused Tipra Motha of forming a “backdoor alliance” with the BJP to secure the latter’s return to power in the 2023 Assembly elections, despite previously serving as the principal opposition. He also criticized the BJP, alleging that for the past 7.5 years, tribals in Tripura have been treated as “second-class citizens.” He pointed out that the 125th Amendment Bill, crucial for tribal welfare, remains stalled in Parliament, and the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) has been reduced to a “beggar” with no village council elections conducted.
Additionally, Chaudhury targeted BJP MLA Sudhangshu Das for his controversial remarks on the recent Pahalgam terror attack, labeling him a “habitual offender.”
On Wednesday, Pradyot Kishore visited the Congress Bhawan in Agartala to return party flags from his time as a Congress member and state president in 2019, before founding Tipra Motha. Commenting on his visit, Kishore reiterated his strained relationship with the CPI(M), a sentiment echoed in his past statements where he accused the CPI(M) of keeping tribals impoverished during their 25-year rule from 1993 to 2018. He had also praised former BJP Chief Minister and Lok Sabha member Biplab Kumar Deb for his affection toward tribals.
