Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on BJP-turned-Congress leaders Sudip Roy Barman and Ashis Kumar Saha, describing them as “betrayers” and exuded confidence the people would give them a “befitting reply” in the coming Assembly by-polls.
The Chief Minister, who is contesting the June 23 by-election from Bardowali constituency, is up against Ashis Kumar Saha, while Roy Barman is in the race from the Agartala seat.
Both Roy Barman and Ashis Kumar Saha were elected on BJP ticket in the Assembly polls four years ago.
Dr Saha alleged that the two leaders couldn’t get out of their high aspiration mould and “ditched the BJP” to fight the by-poll as Congress nominees, which people of Tripura didn’t like.
“These two politicians are solely responsible for this untimely election in Agartala seats. They were voted to power only because they had contested from BJP. They were elected for the first time in their life from the ruling party and BJP made one of them (Roy Barman) an important minister and the other one (Saha) was given responsibility in the party but both failed,” the Chief Minister said.
He pointed out despite being in the party and holding important positions, they worked against BJP openly in last Lok Sabha, Autonomous District Council and Civic body elections. They were invited several times to come to the party office and join in party activities but they didn’t.
“I, as (state) party president personally met Roy Barman and requested him for dialogue to resolve any issue therein but they didn’t listen.”
The BJP always wanted them in the party but both the leaders “betrayed”, he alleged.
“Therefore, people of the city would give them a befitting reply in the by-elections,” Dr Saha said.
“The country has been watching the by-poll here because I have been made the Chief Minister and it is not a temporary arrangement. I will be the face of the BJP in next year’s assembly elections in Tripura,” he added.
The Chief Minister appealed to the voters to be conscious about their decision, as BJP is committed to the welfare of grass root level and long term development initiatives.
Without naming anybody, the Chief Minister said: “I am not like migratory birds that land only during elections. I am close to every resident of Town Bardowali constituency as I was born and brought up here.
“Being a player, doctor and professor, I have access to all spectrums of people of the constituency,” he added.
