The Hindu : `A vote for unity in Tripura'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 04, 2003

National

National

`A vote for unity in Tripura'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 3. The Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front today attributed its third successive victory in Tripura to its work on unity of tribals and Bengali people and charged the Congress with having harmed the cause.

"The people of Tripura have recorded their appreciation for the resolute fight waged by the CPI (M) to defend the unity of the tribal and Bengali people and for the impressive performance of the Left Front Government...The Congress leadership must realise the harm it has caused to the State and national unity by allying with a NLFT-backed party,'' the party's central committee, in session here now, said. Later addressing a press conference, the Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar, dismissed the Congress charge that during campaigning it had played on the rift between tribals and Bengali people. He claimed that it was the `pro-people' policies of his Government that had rendered the anti-incumbency factor irrelevant in Tripura, just as in West Bengal.

Mr. Sarkar, who would take oath as the Chief Minister for a second term on March 7, said the Government would intensify efforts against insurgents and also request the Centre to retain the Army which came there for election duty. He said the State Government would also demand augmentation of the BSF strength and expedite border fencing. Stating that the insurgents in the State were having links with the ISI in Bangladesh, Mr. Sarkar said he would ask the Centre to apply pressure on Dhaka to destroy insurgent camps operating there.

The CPI (M) said the people of Himachal Pradesh voted out the Dhumal Government for its misrule and corruption. "Unable to face the fact that their communal platform has failed to evoke support, the BJP leadership is seeking to cover up its political defeat under the excuse of disunity and factionalism,'' the party statement said. The party said the results of the Himachal Pradesh election "are a welcome affirmation that large sections of people do not subscribe to the divisive agenda. of the BJP.''

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