Guwahati: The Left Front in Tripura, which is led by the opposition CPI(M), released its election platform on Friday, promising, if elected, 2.5 lakh new jobs, pensions for elderly people who are in need, the return of the previous pension plan and two increases in the daily allowance for public employees each year.
In the 15-page manifesto, it was also promised that 10,323 teachers who had been laid off would be hired back, that the services of contractors would be regularised, and that the tribal council would have more power.
Speaking during a press conference, Left Front convener Narayan Kar claimed that since the BJP took power in Tripura in 2018, democracy was stifled there.
“Voting rights of people have been snatched away under the BJP-IPFT regime, while people’s liberty to raise their voice has been lost. The Left Front will restore the democratic values once it wins the elections,” he said.
“We will create 2.5 lakh jobs during the next five years if the Left Front secures the blessing of the people,” he said, adding that contractual employees will also be regularised as per the guidelines.
According to Kar, social pension will be given to anyone over 60 with an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh.
He added that the Left Front would also reinstate the previous pension programme and double the dearness allowance (DA) for government employees based on the CPI.
There are 1,88,494 government workers and retirees in Tripura.
According to the report, the Left Front also promised the poor 200 days of labour each year to help the rural economy.
Kar asserted that the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) will enjoy a great degree of autonomy under the Left Front.
He declared that the Left Front is committed to delivering a government that is free of corruption and supportive of the people, and that a shared basic platform of its alliance with the Congress will be published soon.
The Forward Bloc, RSP, and CPI, who are members of the Left Front, will each run for one seat, leaving the CPI(M) to compete in 43 seats on its own. In the West Tripura district of Ramnagar, the Left Front is endorsing an independent candidate. In accordance with the seat-sharing agreement, the Congress is contesting 13 seats.
The voting for the 60-member assembly will be held on February 16 and counting will take place on March 2.