Row over Tripura CPI(M) MLA's FB post, BJP says Left party instigating violence
Agartala, June 1: A CPI(M) MLA on Tuesday stirred a row as he urged the people of the state to keep sticks, iron pipes handy for self-defence against "ruling party goons", drawing flak from the BJP, which alleged that the Left Party legislator was "instigating locals to take up weapons to create unrest" in the state.
Papia Datta, the general secretary of the BJP's state unit, sought strict against CPI(M) MLA Bhanu Lal Saha.
"The CPI(M) is trying to create unrest in the state by inciting people, asking them to take up arms. This is illegal, provocative and we want legal action against leaders, who make such remarks," she said at a press meet here.
Saha, taking to Facebook on Tuesday, said, "Keep sticks, da (sickle), iron pipes etc handy, irrespective of your age age and gender, for resisting bricks, kicks, petrol bombs hurled by them. Gather courage to face attackers. It's not a crime to pick up things for self defence. It's impossible to protect life and property without resistance."
"O youth, turn into fire. Hundreds-thousands of youths should be ready. Resist lumpens and ruling party goons with courage. Join people from the locality and take charge."
Datta claimed that the CPI(M), which unleashed "violence and terror" to rule the state for 25 years, is trying to return to power employing the same tactics.
She also said that such a statement from a person who had served as teacher for years is "unbecoming and unfair".
The BJP leader further said that the opposition party was "provoking violence" at a time when the BJP-IPFT government in the state is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and making all efforts to deliver necessary healthcare services to its people.
"The state government, led by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, has been doing a commendable job. It helped around seven lakh poor families by providing them Rs 1,000 each through direct benefit transfer and ration for two months. It is also funding education of orphans.
"However, the opposition CPI(M) was trying to create panic by repeatedly alleging that activists and workers of ruling BJP are attacking their cadres," Datta added.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
