The BJP swept the Tripura Assembly polls, breaching a bastion of the Left in the first direct battle between the two in an assembly election. BJP and its ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), won 43 of the 59 seats to which elections were held. The Left Front, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), got just 16 down from 50, five years ago. The Congress, which had won 10 seats in 2013, drew a blank. The ultimate summary of the Northeast elections is Tripura, where the BJP came to power with clear lead after an initial neck and neck race.
In Meghalaya, the picture was much clear, though the ruling Congress emerged as the single largest party ahead of National People’s Party (NPP) and its ally BJP. In Nagaland also BJP emerged victorious with 30 seats. These are beginning of a new era for Tripura state people under the leadership of Modi and let us hope that the state will prosper with developments all over. The big win was a shot in the arm for both party president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi to hit the jackpot with perfect understanding and calculation. BJP is set to form the government with an ally in Nagaland and despite its low numbers, it remained a strong contender for power in Meghalaya. Modi magic continues to rule the roost in elections to states and a win in the Northeast is a new house order indeed.
A two-thirds majority in Tripura — has brought the BJP closer to its goal of Congress-mukt northeast, particularly with Meghalaya and Nagaland giving a fractured verdict! The Congress Party is disintegrated in the worst form. Still, the party enjoys some popularity in some localities but the Communists have destroyed the most effective party.
Both Congress and the Communists have to change their way of campaigning. Branding BJP as communal will not always impress people. These parties should try to understand that every one of this country is aware of BJP’s pro Hinduism agenda. More over people’s problems vary from State to State and sensitive local issues must be emphasised with proper solutions. These two parties, along with some regional parties, used to focus only on two issues i.e. ‘Secularism’ and ‘Minority’ ignoring completely the burning issues of day-to-day problems of masses. As a result, we can see Tripura has taught a lesson to both Congress and Communists.
Tripura has gone the West Bengal way in spite of an honest Chief Minister. The assurance of development and other election promises including the 7th Pay Commission implementation by the BJP could be the decisive factors in their victory. The Ashvamedha horse of BJP’s reign has surpassed all expectations and it continued its victory sequence. Now the horse has come in the northeast zone; where they trampled on the strong foundation of Left and eradicated their 25 years journey. Obviously, it’s the biggest victory from BJP’s point of view. And in the rest two states, BJP performed extremely well than previous. Meghalaya is the single state in three state elections, where BJP couldn’t beat the field. Eventually, it’s a big symbol for 2019 and now we’ve seen the current status of opponent parties through this election. Congress is at the corner of their place and one more mistake will throw them out of the race.
Tripura, a bastion of CPM for the last two decades, has been voted out of power. BJP should fulfil all the objectives of the people. This is for BJP, Congress, CPM and all other parties. There should not be mud-slinging by any one. The victor just rules with pride and according to the Constitution the vanquished accept defeat gracefully and sit in Opposition.
Anti-incumbency is the largest factor for the CPI(M)’s loss. People opted for an untried party there; perhaps, overlooking the hardships of the common men and the poor as a result of Modi government’s corporate-friendly policies. Though, it’s a great achievement for the BJP party, but I hope that the pre-poll promises are kept to economically develop this region and its people. Modi should provide good state leaders to work as CMs in these states. If the Left party wants to revive and make themselves a political force then they should stop serving as B-Team of Congress. Left leaders are more worried about the future of Congress than Rahul. Even after running the parties for more than 10 decades, they are unable to project alternative politics. They cannot face electoral politics by simply objecting or blaming the BJP.
Between Nripen Chakraborty and Manik Sarkar, Tripura has been ruled forever by the Communists with only abject of poverty and lawlessness as a proof of rule. At least two generations of youth have lost opportunities that people in Delhi and Mumbai take for granted. Even a chance to live a decent life, has been denied. The general public has woken up from their faithful attachment to certain parties due to some poorly thought out sentiments and traditions, decided to vote for development and progressive governments. Blind loyalty and religious affiliations seem to have become a thing of past. Transparent administration, progressive policies and evidence of completion of committed projects, all become important to the savvy democrat. The nation is maturing into a great democracy where people are thinking and voting for what matters for them in a true sense. Here after any commitment of BJP leaders, including the PM, will have serious repercussion in future. It is high time our legal set up strive to maintain the spirit of jurisprudence in right manner.
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