Agartala, Feb 13, 2023, Rashmi Shil

In a multi-comered fight, BJP stalwart and also the Chief Minister, Dr Manik Saha joined the fray contesting Opposition alliance backed Congress candidate Asish Saha in Bordowali assembly constituency.

Confident of winning the polls with majority of votes for yet another term, Tripura chief minister Dr Manik Saha said, “With development in several fields as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will secure victory with more seats than that of previous year”.

Talking about challenges he feels as a chief minister of less than one year in office and facing the elections yet again, the maxillofacial surgeon turned politician said, “I don’t see any challenge. By the grace of God and love from people who are satisfied with the BJP government, I am sure of victory”.

Mentioning the points, the BJP is betting on for maximum votes in the upcoming February 16, elections, the chief minister said, “HIRA, as promised by Narendra Modi ji, Roads. Railways, Internet, Airport every sector has seen unprecedented development”.

“The BJP has taken the government to the doorstep of the common people. All sorts of benefits of the double-engine government have reached the last man of the society. People are happy and it's proven as I reach their doorsteps”, he said.

Dr Saha further said, “The works or problems persisting in few areas will be resolved soon as the party regains power in the polls”.

Answering the question of Tripura Times representative on the opposition's claims of ‘unfulfilled promises’ and ’10,323 teachers issue’, Dr Manik Saha said, “The party has tried to fulfil its promises. And about the 10,323 teachers’ issue, it was ever told that their jobs will be given back. But it was mentioned that with a ‘humanitarian’ approach the BJP government will try to resolve the problem”.

“I have formed a committee and sought a report, now as the elections are at the door after that the problem will be looked into and if they are eligible by law they will be reinstated to services”, he added.

On reports of internal bickering in BJP where several stood up as independent candidates, switched parties or resigned after the announcement of Candidate list, Dr Saha said, “It is not that the BJP is the only party where such things are happening. Candidates have been chosen based on their previous works, popularity and other factors by the senior party leaderships and resignation of few will not affect the party in any way”.

Ultimately everything is settled now, he said.

Where at least 7 BJP MLAs have been dropped off from the candidate list, Dr Saha said, “Considering their works in the past 5 years and if there is any anti-incumbency they have not been given party nominations this time”.

Answering on the much hyped issue of Left-Congress alliance ahead of Tripura Polls, the chief minister said, “As we call it an ‘Unholy alliance’, people will never support this. A single vote for CPIM- Congress in the polls means bringing back the regime of terror, violence that ruined the state of Tripura for 25 long years”.

The chief minister further said, “There is still time and people, especially youths must leave the ‘unholy alliance’ and join the BJP instead”.

Over the issue of TIPRA Motha and its emergence as a regional political party in Tripura, Dr Manik Saha said, “Many such regional parties have come and gone. The issue that TIPRA Motha is betting on, ‘Greater Tipraland’ is never acceptable and will intrigue communal violence in Tripura”.

“The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government is ready to ensure the safety and security of Tiprasa and see that they too are equally developed in every aspect”, he said.

Mentioning the multi-cornered fight in 8-Town Bordowali assembly seat where chief minister Dr Manik Saha is again contesting against Congress candidate Asish Kumar Saha, he said, “People had clue that they have any guardian or MLA from that area in all these years. But after being elected as an MLA from the seat during the by-elections I have wholeheartedly tried to solve the issues of common people and will continue to do that”.

The chief minister further expressed hope of winning the seat with maximum number of votes.

Addressing the issue of poll-violence reported from many parts of the state, the chief minister said, “Election Commission is doing their job and all such violence is created by the CPIM who are famous for all these for 25 long years in Tripura”.

In his message for the people of Tripura, chief minister Dr Manik Saha urged the common people to reach the polling station in the early morning hours and cast their votes considering the overall scenario of Tripura.

#TripuraPolls #Exclusiveinterview

By Rashmi Shil