Ahead of municipal body elections in Tripura, two MLAs of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have slammed their own government over the recent political violence in the state. 

The two MLAs – Sudip Roy Burman and Asish Saha – on Tuesday held a press conference and said that the country’s apex court, Tripura High Court, and even Union Home Minister Amit Shah had to intervene in the recent political violence ahead of the civic polls.

“During the tenure of the CPI(M) there was a culture of political violence in the state which has now turned into an anti-democratic menace. Atrocities are being meted out against people and candidates which should not be tolerated,” ANI quote Burman as saying.

He further mentioned that Tripura always witnesses elections in a festive mood but this time a reign of terror is going on. “I appeal to the people of the state to come forward and fight back. Do exercise your voting rights and confront the hooligans courageously”, he said.

BJP MLAs question CM’s silence

The BJP MLAs also questioned Chief Minister Biplab Deb’s silence over the recent violence in the state.

“We do not understand why there is so much violence to win the civic body elections? If the BJP had done so much development during its 44 months tenure, then why so much violence to win the elections? they asked.

“Our chief minister, who is also the home minister of the state, has not given any statement regarding the recent series of political violence. Police worked as silent spectators. The criminals from opposition CPI-M, who entered the party were used for narrow political ends,” the duo said.