In a sharp attack at the INDIA alliance, former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday said Congress and CPI(M) activists should "tonsure their head" for forgetting the deaths of their cadres who were killed due to violence between the two parties. Deb, who is contesting as a BJP candidate from the West Tripura Parliamentary constituency, made the comments while addressing a poll campaign rally at Birchandramanu in South Tripura district. In a sharp jibe at the communist party for its alliance with Congress, Deb said, "If Congress and Communist party leaders want to seek votes, they should first come, shave their heads and seek forgiveness in front of the Birchandramanu martyrs’ memorial.” Deb's comments were in reference to the murder of 14 CPI(M) party workers, including member of the then Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council Sridam Paul on October 12, 1988, allegedly by Congress supporters when the Left party activists had gone to re-open a party office that was allegedly shut down by Congress party workers. The incident was vividly narrated by the CPI(M) several times later, especially by the then MLA from Jolaibari assembly constituency Brajamohan Jamatia, who narrowly escaped with help from his personal security officer. Invoking the incident, Deb on Thursday said Congress and communist parties bitterly fought amongst each other and several cadres were killed in these incidents. He added, "Communist party leaders used to gather thousands of people in front of the Birchandramanu martyrs memorial every year and do drama of paying respects. Now they are practically sitting on each other's laps. This is the real face of the communist party and Congress." ‘Manik Sarkar not in favour of INDIA alliance’ Deb also claimed former chief minister and CPI(M) politburo member Manik Sarkar isn't in favour of the communist party’s unity with Congress and urged him to vote for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He also pointed at Sarkar’s absence from the Opposition rallies and public gatherings. Citing Sarkar’s absence from the nomination filing rally of INDIA bloc candidate Ashish Kumar Saha, Deb said, “All Congress and Communist leaders were there except Manik Sarkar, who has been a CM for four terms and is a CPI(M) politburo member, wasn't seen there. This is because Manik Sarkar isn't in favour of this unholy alliance.” Taunting Sarkar, Deb said, “Manikda, you have pursued communist politics all your life, you voted for the hammer and sickle (CPIM's party symbol). You were a CM for four terms and now, when you are a septuagenarian, will you vote for Congress? I don't believe you can. Is this why you pursued communism so long?" Biplab Kumar Deb also said "true communist party leaders" can never vote for Congress and urged them to vote for the "lotus symbol". He added, "There is no point in voting for the Congress. If you vote for the BJP, the people of Tripura will respect you and if you vote for Congress, it will be an unfortunate day of your life.” "Communists don't believe in the State and they never did have sufficient MPs to form government directly at the centre. So, they made sure that 94-96 percent votes were cast in the Assembly elections since they had to grab power and maintain their cadres. But since they didn’t have enough numbers to directly form the government at the Centre, they ignored the importance of the Lok Sabha polls and only 80-82 percent turnout would be recorded," Deb said. He also urged the electors to turn up in huge numbers on polling day at both the Parliamentary constituencies of the state and vote for the BJP. The two Parliamentary seats of Tripura — West Tripura and East Tripura ST —are scheduled to undergo polling in two phases. While West Tripura will vote on April 19 in the first phase, East Tripura will see polling on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls.
