The Leader of the Opposition, Jitendra Chaudhury, on Saturday alleged that corruption has effectively become the policy of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Tripura, claiming that a “loot raj” is prevailing across the state.

Chaudhury made the remarks while addressing the 10th State Conference of the Tripura Scheduled Caste Coordination Committee at the Agartala Town Hall.

In his speech, the Opposition leader said the current ruling party at the Centre has created a complex political situation in the state, which, according to him, was not inevitable. He alleged that the government is primarily working to protect the interests of big capitalists.

“As a result, people from backward and Dalit communities are facing multifaceted crises in various ways,” he said.

Chaudhury also targeted the state government and its ministers over alleged corruption. He claimed that Bikas Debbarma, who heads the Tribal Welfare Department, has amassed assets worth crores of rupees in just two and a half years, while tribal communities have not witnessed meaningful development.

He further stated that the most important task before the people of Tripura now is to “rescue democracy.”

The Opposition leader also commented on the ongoing political friction between Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura, and Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, chairman of Tipra Motha Party. He remarked that the language used by both leaders against each other resembles a “war from the Ramayan.”

“At the same time, Tipra Motha claims there is no dispute in the cabinet. They say Delhi is good, former Chief Minister and MP Biplab Kumar Deb is good, but the present Chief Minister is not,” Chaudhury said.

He added that despite such statements, the Chief Minister has not asked Tipra Motha to leave the government. According to him, the reason is that both the Chief Minister and Tipra Motha need to keep the party leadership united in order to counter the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Chaudhury further remarked that if Tipra Motha were to lose control of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) in the future, it would weaken the party’s bargaining power with the BJP.

“Therefore, Tipra Motha is trying its best to retain the ADC by using emotional appeals, communal narratives, and sentiments. On the other hand, the BJP is attempting to capture the ADC at any cost by using administrative power, so that Tipra Motha cannot blame them later,” he alleged.

He concluded by saying that the upcoming ADC elections will be an important political battle for the Left parties. “After 2018, we must learn from the experience of previous elections and play a significant role in the coming contest,” the LoP said.