Agartala (Tripura) [India], April 3 (ANI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha criticised the Tipra Motha Party, accusing it of misleading people through slogans such as 'Thansa', 'Greater Tipraland' and 'Puila Jati', and attempting to gain political mileage by exploiting communal sentiments.

Addressing a gathering at Kunjaram Para in Paharpur under the Natunbazar-Malbasa constituency ahead of the ADC elections on Friday, Saha alleged that the party was confusing the public with inconsistent positions.

'They only mislead the people by telling lies. This time, if the Bharatiya Janata Party government is formed in ADC, there will be real development for the janajatis,' he said.

During the event, the Chief Minister also welcomed around 700 voters from 203 families who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Saha claimed that despite efforts to work together, cooperation with the Tipra Motha Party could not materialise.

CM Saha said, 'These days, we see that Tipra Motha is jumping around a lot. They are going from one place to another. For so long, they thought that they were the ones. They would control the ADC, and whatever they said would happen. But this time, the face has changed. I want to tell you one thing, we tried to move forward with this regional party. We talked many times. But they said one thing and then another. Similarly, they also want to control the ADC area like the communists. We tried many times, but it was not possible. So, we have taken the initiative to fight in our own way.'

Expressing confidence ahead of the polls, the Chief Minister said that the BJP aims to form the government in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

'If we form the government with 28 seats in ADC, you will see real development for the janajati. Tipra Motha only works to confuse people with misleading statements. They have also talked a lot about the Village Council elections. They claim that we did not allow the VC elections. However, we have said that the BJP is always ready for the VC elections,' he added.

Targeting the party's narrative around 'Thansa' and Greater Tipraland, Saha alleged that there was a lack of clarity in their demands.

'They are talking about Thansa. Minorities and Bengalis are also being dragged into it. Even he himself cannot say when or what he is doing. Once, he raised slogans about Greater Tipraland, but he didn't know its boundary. Now, again, he has brought Greater Tipraland to the forefront. There is no real issue. Such statements are only meant to confuse people. He does not have the qualities that a leader should have. He only raises his voice loudly and confuses people, shouting 'Thansa Thansa',' he said.

Contrasting his government's approach, Saha said the BJP is working with the vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas,' as advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

'We are talking about Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas, as instructed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are saying that we will build a Tripura, a new Tripura, with people from all sections. This is what Thansa really means. People want peace, not unrest,' CM Saha added.

The Chief Minister further said that the era of monarchy is over and that governance must align with democratic principles.

'This truth must be accepted because the monarchy is no more. The Finance Minister has already said that the amount of money given for the development of ADC does not even have a utilisation certificate. In such a situation, there is only loot all around. You are cheating your people. You are cheating those whom you call Thansa. And people have understood that now,' he said.

Drawing a comparison, Saha alleged that the functioning of Tipra Motha resembles that of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal.

'They are trying to squeeze the common man in the same way. So, acting will not work anymore. I will still appeal to the youth community of Tipra Motha to come and join under the flag of the Bharatiya Janata Party,' he added.

Several leaders, including Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, MLA Ranjit Das, candidate Rabindra Reang, ADC candidate Saudagar Kaloi and minority leader Jasim Uddin, were present at the event. (ANI)