The BJP might be expanding its foothold in the northeast by winning the Tripura assembly election but the party is resorting to communal violence for political gains. BJP workers celebrated the party’s victory in Tripura assembly polls by bringing down the statue of communist icon Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, or Lenin at Belonia in South Tripura district and chanted the slogan “Bharat Mata ki jai.” When the Modi government had come to power in 2014, it had coined the phrase ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, but now the party has got deviated from its stand and is following communal agenda. Instead of working for the welfare of masses BJP is trying to divide the nation on communal lines.
Congress MLA Arif Naseem Khan said that the razing of the Lenin statue doesn’t augur well for the democracy. He further said, “BJP leaders speak about peace, development but practically behind the camera they have different intentions. We respect Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for his social contributions being a spiritual leader but statements made by him pertaining to Ayodhya dispute are provocative and unconstitutional.”
Ram Temple issue has been kept alive by BJP leaders as many of them have been issuing various statements pertaining to its construction before 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Even though the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue is still sub judice, but Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has said that Muslims should give up their claim on Ayodhya. He also added that India will become Syria if the issue remains unresolved.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that after the declaration of Tripura assembly polls result, BJP workers have gained confidence and they are targeting opposition party workers. He asked, “What can be the intention behind the statement made by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s statement pertaining to Ayodhya dispute? When government offers indirect support to scan on opposition parties’ offices, it can be termed as sponsored terrorism and is a blot on democracy.”
The Tripura razing incident might just be the beginning of communal violence ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls and many riot incidents might occur in the run up to general election. BJP also has been raking up the Hindutva agenda to lure Hindu voters. Many BJP leaders have been issuing anti-Muslim statements to further create a rift within both Hindu and Muslim communities.
CPM office secretary Haripada Das stated that communal violence has erupted in Tripura within two days after BJP has won assembly polls in the state. “BJP workers are threatening CPM leaders and workers. We condemn the vandalisation of Lenin statue and protest against it,” he said,
There has been a sharp rise in communal violence incidents after the Modi government came to power in 2014. BJP has often adopted communal politics for electoral gains. The outfit has been spreading hatred among Hindus and Muslims to polarise voters. In 2015 a group of villagers attacked the home of a Muslim man Mohammed Ikhlaq with sticks and bricks, who they suspected of stealing and slaughtering a stolen cow calf in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh. Four Dalit youth were flogged in Una, in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat in 2016.
Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Shinde expressed, “I won’t hold BJP or any other party responsible for this incident. He further said, “The statue vandalisation incident was unfortunate but we should respect the feelings of the people. If people are unhappy with the performance of erstwhile government then the present govt should only focus on development rather that resorting to vandalisation.”
“The Supreme Court will deliver the right judgement about Ayodhya dispute and we will abide by it. Taking into consideration the country’s financial condition, we can’t afford to have communal tension and instead should work for nation’s progress,” he added. 
