Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Friday accused the BJP-led government of using police cases and administrative machinery to intimidate the opposition, asserting that such measures would not weaken the CPI(M) or stop its political activities.

Sarkar was reacting to three complaints reportedly filed with the police against him over his recent remark that the country and the state could move towards a “militant movement.”

“Today, I came to know that a complaint has been filed against me. These cases have been filed with the backing of the ruling BJP and the government. They cannot subdue or intimidate us. Rather, such actions reflect the weakness of the government,” Sarkar said.

The former Chief Minister alleged that his original statement had been distorted and presented selectively for political purposes. He claimed that the ruling party and the government were attempting to divert attention from their own failures by creating controversy around his remarks.

Sarkar further alleged that the government was trying to use its power and administrative machinery to put pressure on the opposition. However, he maintained that such measures would not stop the political movement.

“It is not possible to stop the opposition’s political movement through intimidation. The people will give their answer,” he said.

He also claimed that political preparations were already underway among the people for the days ahead. According to Sarkar, people were organising themselves at the grassroots level, including from house to house, against what he described as the prevailing situation in Tripura and across the country.

The former Chief Minister reiterated that filing cases would neither silence the opposition nor prevent people from raising their voices against the government.