Agartala, Tripura – A heated confrontation rocked the Tripura Legislative Assembly on March 25, culminating in a walkout by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].
The opposition party’s dramatic exit stemmed from an alleged racial remark made by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath against Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury during the previous day’s budget discussions.
The controversy ignited when CPI(M) MLA Shayamal Chakraborty raised the issue immediately following the question-answer session. Chakraborty alleged that Minister Nath, in response to Chaudhury’s budget critique, asserted that the Leader of Opposition had “proved his caste.” Chakraborty strongly condemned the remark, emphasizing that while criticism of political mentality was acceptable, the invocation of caste was deeply offensive and demanded an immediate retraction.
Speaker Biswabandhu Sen attempted to quell the escalating tension, asserting that the issue was being raised at an inappropriate time and outside the established agenda. However, Minister Nath defended his stance, accusing the CPI(M) of attempting to incite indigenous populations and dismissing their claims as part of a negative political campaign. He further countered that the CPI(M) was engaging in “hooliganism,” a charge vehemently denied by the opposition.
Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury responded to the Minister’s accusations, labeling the behavior as “hooliganism.” This retort triggered a further reaction from the Speaker, who demanded the withdrawal of the word. In response, CPI(M) MLAs moved to the well of the Assembly, staging a vocal protest before ultimately walking out in a show of dissent. The incident has significantly heightened political tensions within the Tripura Legislative Assembly.
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