Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath Labels CPI(M) Anti-National Ahead of VC Polls

Agartala: Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath ignited a political firestorm this week. He branded the CPI(M) an anti-national force. The comments arrived as village council elections draw near. Nath handles election strategy for the BJP and Tipra Motha alliance. He stated the coalition intends to lock the communists out of power entirely.

Nath defended the alliance strategy during a media briefing. He claimed the parties reached a consensus to deny the Left any electoral ground. He said, "I consider communists as anti-national and hence all our allies have reached a consensus that not an inch of land should be left for them." Nath added that the BJP considers the CPI(M) its primary rival despite Congress fielding candidates in a few seats.

Jitendra Chaudhury, Leader of the Opposition, slammed the minister. He rejected the need for any patriotism certificate from the BJP. Chaudhury pointed out that the BJP and Tipra Motha are fighting each other in 80 percent of the seats. He argued the ruling parties failed to maintain their own electoral pact at the grassroots level. He accused the government of rigging previous elections and dismissed the minister's claims as desperate nonsense.