Manik Sarkar accuses BJP of rigging electoral rolls in Tripura

Agartala: Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar claims the ruling BJP is rigging the electoral process to cement its grip on power. He points to the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls as the primary weapon. Sarkar says the party uses this system to create a custom list of voters while dumping those they view as political enemies.

Addressing a crowd in Dhalai district, Sarkar warned that the BJP is systematically stripping rights from Muslims, laborers, and the poor. He cited similar tactics in Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal. "The BJP wants to remove genuine voters whom it suspects will vote against the saffron party. Their prime target is Muslims, labourers and the poor," Sarkar claimed.

The veteran CPI(M) leader insists this move signals a slide toward fascist rule. He alleges the party tracks individuals on a so-called doubtful list to block them from the ballot box. "If voting rights are taken away, democracy will collapse. That is what the BJP is planning," he said.

Sarkar also took aim at the 2023 state elections. He suggested the BJP only kept its majority because the Tipra Motha Party provided secret backing. Beyond the ballot, he accused the RSS and VHP of driving wedges between religious groups since 2018. He ended his speech with a call to action, urging the public to protest against widespread corruption, unemployment, and failing law and order.