Agartala, June 12: CPI(M) leader and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury on Friday blamed the BJP-led state and central governments for the crisis triggered by the 72-hour road and rail blockade called by former ATTF and NLFT returnees, alleging that years of unfulfilled promises had pushed the issue to a breaking point.
Addressing the media in Agartala, Chaudhury said the returnees had repeatedly been assured rehabilitation benefits but were left struggling after political parties extracted electoral mileage from their plight.
“The returnees deserve every benefit promised to them under the rehabilitation agreement. The question is why the government allowed the situation to deteriorate to a point where 44 lakh people had to suffer,” he said.
The veteran tribal leader said the blockade had severely affected daily life across Tripura, disrupting movement and adding to existing concerns over the supply of essential commodities, including petroleum products.
Chaudhury also took aim at the BJP’s handling of tribal issues and launched a sharp political attack on TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma. Referring to Pradyot’s recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said the development was hardly surprising and alleged that the understanding between TIPRA Motha and the BJP had always been visible beneath the political rhetoric.
He further accused the BJP and RSS of failing indigenous communities despite claims of prioritising tribal welfare, alleging that tribal populations across the country continue to face displacement and insecurity.
The CPI(M) leader also criticised ongoing discussions around Scheduled Tribe status for converted tribal Christians, claiming such debates run contrary to constitutional safeguards meant to protect tribal communities.
Turning to foreign policy, Chaudhury criticised the Centre’s response to reported attacks on Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the deaths of Indian sailors, accusing the Narendra Modi government of failing to defend national interests with sufficient firmness.
His remarks come amid growing political debate over the blockade, the rehabilitation of former insurgents and the evolving equations between regional and national parties in Tripura.
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