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Tripura Ends CPM Tedium by Trading Decency for False Eldorado

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8 years ago

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Tripura Ends CPM Tedium by Trading Decency for False Eldorado

~By: Saeed Naqvi

The extraordinary feat the BJP has pulled off leaves one breathless. Which other Chief Minister in the country will have a decorated Director General of Police, B.L. Vohra, write in his book, Tripura’s Bravehearts, “Manik Sarkar was definitely unlike any Chief Ministers whom I had seen, met, worked with and heard about…. He was honest personally and that had percolated down to all echelons of the government – again one cannot find many examples of his ilk unfortunately in the country.” This level of decency has been traded by the Tripura electorate for mobs who pull down statues.

 The universal assessment of Manik Sarkar even among opposition leaders in Tripura would flatter any politician. It was not just that he was himself a gentleman but he appeared to have instilled his qualities in his cabinet colleagues and the administration across the board. By all accounts his predecessor and Guru, Nripen Chakraborty, was even more admirable. The staff in the Chief Minister’s house had never ever dreamt that they would serve a boss whose groceries were purchased on a ration card and who never saved enough money to open a bank account. This may be syrupy stuff in an era when materialism is the mantra, but do, for a moment, reflect on the Chakraborty-Sarkar duo against the amoral wasteland that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Also, it is elementary that 25 years of CPM rule could not have lasted only because of the leadership’s decency. Despite the economic crunch, the government in Agartala implemented every central scheme with greater efficiency than any other state. 96% literacy? Show me another state. The gender ratio is something of a record. That is how Tripura’s middle class was created. True, having created a new middle class, the government found itself flat footed. It could not cope with the next stage of aspirations. It produced distributive justice but found itself bereft of ideas to generate wealth to accommodate the educated unemployed and to promote two wheel drivers to the four wheel level.

Upon arrival in Agartala I was able to find accommodation only in a government guest house. When I asked the CM if the absence of reasonable hotels was state policy, he was frank: “we are not in a position to cope with social imbalances that come with five star hotels, bars and restaurants.”

This may sound odd, but the reasons for the rout of the CPM in Tripura are, to some extent, similar to the ones responsible for the decline of West Indian cricket.

Never again will the likes of Weekes, Sobers, Viv Richards, Michael Holding and Brian Lara adorn world cricket. In the 70s and the 80s, the West Indies cricket team was like Don Bradman’s invincibles. The culture of cricket was their inheritance from the British colonial period.

Aggressive globalization of the 90s, placed the West Indies in the sphere of American media. US centered television beamed at the islanders not cricketers but basketball and baseball stars like Michael Jordan and Jose Ramirez, with proselytizing persistence. Within a generation, all that remained of the cricketing legends were their fading photographs in the scrap books of schoolboys of the 80s in former British colonies.

A CPM government in Tripura was, likewise, as remote from any Left ruled enclave as the West Indies are from cricket’s birth place. After the end of Left rule in West Bengal, it had no structure to lean on. In this friendless era it was exposed to hostile TV bombardment. Riding the crest of economic liberalization, market fundamentalism galloped at breakneck speed to accommodate advertising for rampaging consumerism marketed by dream merchants, architects of plush malls and multiplexes.

CPM Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar’s controlled austerities withstood this barrage of televised razzmatazz for 25 years. By this time another generation had arisen, torn between a lifestyle of simplicity and the Eldorado on the horizon that metropolitan centres of control teased and tempted them with.

Agartala is in trauma. Before they find their feet, the stunned CPM cadres are having to adjust to another reality: Party sympathizers are suddenly not making eye contact with them. Some, with an eye on the main chance, have been seen on the margins of mobs attacking CPM offices, even pulling down of the Lenin statue.

To a considerable extent, the outcome in Tripura and elsewhere in the North East is the Congress’s gift to the BJP. Himanta Biswa Sarma, a genius in electoral management, walked out of the Congress because he could not bear Rahul Gandhi’s insulting silences. Tarun Gagoi, the former Assam Chief Minister, was eager to create his own dynasty, make his son Gaurav the Chief Minister. This would cut out Sarma whose political brilliance underpinned the latter half of the Gogoi years.

This kind of a dynamo, backed by money power that would make Nirav Modi salivate and an adversarial centre controlling the purse strings – this is how the Left was uprooted in Tripura. Just imagine, when state after state is implementing the 7th pay commission, Tripura found itself stranded at the 4th pay commission. CPM dogma also stood in the way: “7th pay commission made some demands which were anti people.”

The change of cultures was imminent from the day the BJP planted Tathagata Roy as Governor of Tripura. The genteel tone of Chakraborty-Sarkar gave way to a inelegant vocabulary. “They should be buried head first in pig’s excreta”, said the Governor by way of a recommendation for dealing with terrorists.

Pulling down of statues is a milder form of retribution compared to the coarse standards set by the Governor.

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TVK seeks NCW action against Udhayanidhi Stalin over remarks on actor Trisha

TVK has written to the NCW seeking action against Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on actor Trisha, demanding a public apology, legal action and statewide protests.

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2 hours ago

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August 4, 2026

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The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has approached the National Commission for Women (NCW) seeking action against Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks about actor Trisha during a public rally in Thanjavur.

Describing the comments as “deeply troubling and offensive”, the party alleged that the former deputy chief minister used objectionable language targeting a woman from a public platform. TVK has also announced plans to hold statewide protests over the issue.

TVK alleges remarks objectified a woman

The controversy stems from a protest meeting on the Cauvery water dispute held in Thanjavur on Monday. During his address, Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, alleging that Tamil Nadu had not received Cauvery water while the chief minister remained unconcerned.

According to TVK, the meeting took a controversial turn after members of the audience chanted actor Trisha’s name. The party alleged that Udhayanidhi responded with an offensive double entendre, triggering widespread criticism.

In its complaint to the NCW, TVK said the remarks amounted to “offensive, double-meaning remarks and vulgar innuendos” directed at a prominent female public figure. The party argued that such language from a senior political leader normalises the objectification and verbal harassment of women in public spaces.

Party demands apology and legal action

TVK urged the NCW to take cognisance of the incident and issue a notice to Udhayanidhi Stalin, stating that the remarks were inconsistent with the standards of decorum expected from public representatives.

The party also demanded an unconditional public apology from the DMK leader for what it described as objectifying and vulgar rhetoric. In addition, TVK called for a police case to be registered against him, alleging that the remarks outraged the modesty of women.

Political reactions intensify

The incident drew strong reactions from both TVK and the BJP.

TVK MLA Rhevanth Charan described the remarks as “absolutely disgusting”, saying such comments reflected a decline in political standards and were unacceptable.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy also criticised Udhayanidhi Stalin, calling the remarks “disgusting, obscene, vulgar and shameful”. He further demanded that legal action be taken against the Leader of Opposition.

Earlier controversy involving Trisha

The latest episode comes amid previous controversies involving actor Trisha in political discourse. Earlier this year, Tamil Nadu BJP leader Nainar Nagendran had remarked that Chief Minister Joseph Vijay should “come out of Trisha’s house” before entering politics. Trisha’s legal team had responded to those comments at the time.

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NDA’s Mangal Milan meeting today to discuss Monsoon Session strategy, PM Modi likely to attend

The NDA Parliamentary Party will hold its ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting on Tuesday to discuss strategy for the remaining Monsoon Session, while the Centre has introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

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4 hours ago

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August 4, 2026

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Parliament

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party is scheduled to hold its ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting on Tuesday at the Parliament Library Building (PLB) to finalise the ruling alliance’s floor strategy for the remaining 10 days of the Monsoon Session.

According to a note circulated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Parliament, all NDA members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been requested to attend the meeting and reach the venue on time. The programme will begin at 9:30 am at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate in the meeting along with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, and other NDA Members of Parliament.

‘Mangal Milan’ is NDA’s rebranded weekly strategy session

The ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting is described as the rebranded version of the NDA’s weekly parliamentary party strategy session. It is aimed at promoting constructive discussions and ensuring better coordination among alliance partners during the ongoing Parliament session.

The meeting comes as Parliament continues discussions on key legislative business and government proposals during the Monsoon Session.

Centre introduces Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026

Meanwhile, the Centre on Monday introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Rao Indrajit Singh introduced the Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959, while retaining the institute’s status as an Institution of National Importance.

The proposed legislation aims to convert the existing society into an autonomous statutory body corporate and provide a modern statutory framework for the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI).

It also seeks to broaden the scope of Statistical Sciences by including fields such as theoretical and applied statistics, mathematics, economics, data science, computer science, other quantitative sciences, quantitative social sciences, and modern technologies including cryptology and related disciplines.

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Himanta Sarma visits Assam flood-hit areas, compensation process to begin after August 9

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited flood-hit areas in Nazira, Mahmora and Sonari and announced that damage assessment for compensation will begin from August 9.

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4 hours ago

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August 4, 2026

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited flood-affected areas in the Nazira, Mahmora and Sonari Assembly constituencies to review the damage caused by the recent floods in Upper Assam. During the visit, he announced that government officials would begin a door-to-door assessment of permanently damaged properties from August 9, after which compensation would be provided to affected families.

This marked the Chief Minister’s second visit to the flood-hit districts of Charaideo and Sivasagar following the latest spell of flooding.

CM interacts with affected residents, reviews relief work

During the tour, Mr Sarma inspected flood-affected locations at Santak, Nepalikhuti and Sundarpukhuri in the Nazira constituency, Chomoni village in Mahmora, and Ward No. 8 of Sonari town. He interacted with residents, reviewed relief measures and assessed the impact of the floods on local communities.

To reach the flood-ravaged Nepalikhuti area of Bihubar under the Nazira constituency, the Chief Minister travelled by tractor. He later visited Shulal Kalita village in Sundarpukhuri, where he discussed the challenges faced by residents and reviewed ongoing relief operations.

Compensation survey to begin from August 9

Addressing flood-affected residents, Mr Sarma said officials would start visiting households from August 9 to assess permanent damage caused by the floods. He said the compensation process would begin after the assessment is completed.

The Chief Minister also announced that health camps would be organised in the affected areas and that the government would extend assistance to help farmers resume agricultural activities. Responding to local demands, he assured residents that steps would be taken to strengthen the Sundarpukhuri embankment.

CM meets bereaved families, promises long-term flood solution

During the visit, Mr Sarma met the family of Nirupama Duwara and her niece Nisha Duwara of Rajapul Duwara village in Nazira, who lost their lives after being swept away during the sudden floods on July 19. He expressed condolences and assured the family of the government’s support.

He also said the state government would work towards finding a permanent solution to recurring floods so that people do not have to face similar devastation in the future.

Financial assistance provided to families of flood victims

In Mahmora constituency, the Chief Minister travelled by boat to Chomoni village to meet stranded residents. At the Sri Sri Hari Namghar, he handed over one-time financial assistance of Rs. 4 lakh each to the next of kin of 14 people who lost their lives in floods affecting the constituency since July 19. The total assistance distributed amounted to Rs. 56 lakh.

He also visited the Sri Sri Gobinda Namghar at Moran Gaon to review the condition of flood-affected residents.

Later, at Jaya Primary School in Ward No. 8 of Sonari town, Mr Sarma distributed textbooks and school uniforms to students affected by the floods. He also provided Rs. 5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of five people who died in the recent floods in the area.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta, Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika, Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Bora, along with local MLAs Taranga Gogoi, Mayur Borahgohain, Suruj Dihingia and Dharmeswar Konwar, accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.

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