Agartala, 7th November 2026 : Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government, alleging that it was weakening democratic institutions, undermining constitutional safeguards and attempting to restrict citizens’ voting rights to prolong its hold on power. He called for united resistance against what he described as a systematic attempt to divide society along religious, caste and community lines.
Speaking at a discussion programme organised to commemorate the historic November Revolution, the former Politburo member said the prevailing political circumstances made it imperative to intensify movements for the protection of democracy, constitutional rights and civil liberties.
Reflecting on the historical importance of the November Revolution in Soviet Russia, Sarkar said it demonstrated the practical application of the socialist principles and scientific analysis developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. He stressed that the struggle for socialism could advance only through the united participation of workers, peasants, agricultural labourers and other sections of the working population.
On the international situation, Sarkar said imperialist forces had anticipated the disappearance of socialism following the disintegration of the Soviet Union. However, the continued existence and development efforts of countries such as China, Vietnam, North Korea and Cuba had proved otherwise. He observed that these nations were pursuing different economic approaches while confronting international pressures and challenges generated by the global economic system.
Criticising the Centre’s economic policies, Sarkar alleged that the majority of people were bearing the burden of growing financial insecurity, unemployment and inadequate access to essential services, including food and healthcare. He expressed concern that the growing privatisation of education and medical services was placing additional hardships on poor and middle-class families and affecting children’s access to basic opportunities.
He further alleged that divisive politics was being used to weaken people’s unity and divert attention from issues of livelihood, deprivation and exploitation. According to Sarkar, the RSS-backed BJP government was pursuing various measures that threatened democratic principles, constitutional institutions and the right to vote.
The former Chief Minister also expressed serious reservations about the revision of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission. Alleging that the BJP was apprehensive about losing elections, he claimed that changes to voter lists were being pursued to remove voters considered unfavourable to the ruling party.
Questioning the credibility of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Sarkar referred to alleged controversies surrounding his administrative career during the Left Front government’s tenure in Kerala. He raised allegations that Kumar had sought bribes from contractors and questioned the circumstances surrounding his subsequent promotions and appointment to the country’s top electoral office.
Sarkar maintained that the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission were crucial to ensuring free and fair elections. He argued that defending democratic institutions could not be left to political parties alone and required broader public participation.
Calling for intensified political and democratic mobilisation, he said the fight against economic exploitation must go hand in hand with the struggle to protect voting rights, constitutional values and fundamental freedoms.
