Agartala: Opposition legislators in Tripura boycotted a crucial review meeting on centrally-sponsored schemes held at the West Tripura District Magistrate’s conference hall on February 18.
The meeting, which was focused on monitoring around 47 central government schemes, was attended solely by BJP MLAs, including West Tripura MP Biplab Kumar Deb, who chaired the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) session.
Reacting to the absence of the Congress and CPI(M) legislators, Deb expressed his frustration, saying, “They didn’t attend the important district-level review meeting. They are a different species and are on the verge of extinction.” He went on to add, “By sheer luck, the CPI(M) managed to win two or three Assembly seats with Congress’s help, but due to their unconstitutional attitude, they will eventually disappear.”
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman responded with sarcasm, mocking Deb’s leadership and questioning the meeting’s relevance. “How can he (Biplab Kumar Deb) show ‘disha’ (direction) when he himself is ‘dishaheen’ (aimless)?” Barman quipped. He further criticized the meeting, claiming, “These meetings do not facilitate any meaningful discussion. There’s no point in attending just for refreshments. I don’t waste my time on such meetings.”
Meanwhile, CPI(M) legislator Nayan Sarkar cited urgent constituency work in Bamutia as the reason for his absence. However, he alleged that BJP leaders were obstructing the execution of projects under the MLA Area Development Fund (MLAADF) in his constituency. “They (BJP) are not allowing us to execute works under MLAADF in my home constituency. I have written to the chief secretary and the district magistrate about it but no action has been taken. The genuine poor people are deprived of government benefits,” Sarkar claimed.
Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy also skipped the meeting, stating that he had not been provided with the agenda in advance.
This boycott highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties in the state, particularly over issues related to development work and government coordination.
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