BJP-led NDA lacks internal democracy: Former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar

BJP-led NDA lacks internal democracy: Former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar

CPI(M) politburo member and former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar on Thursday said the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) lacks internal democracy.

''The NDA has set a target of winning 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections with the BJP itself targeting to win 370 seats alone, leaving only 30 seats for the 32 non-BJP partners'', he said while addressing an election rally in South Tripura's Belonia.

''We don't have any problem with that. It is up to the NDA partners what they think of BJP's target. But if the target materialises, then how will democracy sustain? If the BJP returns to power, this will be the last election in the country'', he said.

Criticising BJP's Hindutva ideology, Sarkar termed the demolition of the 500-year-old Babri Masjid in Uttar Pradesh as an act of injustice.

''Actually, the RSS-backed BJP has been persistently trying to attack the secular fabric of our constitution to install a one-sided rule in the country'', he said.

Sarkar questioned the construction of the new Parliament House, stating that no MP had demanded it.

He argued that the existing Parliament building had sufficient space and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of prioritising personal glorification through the inauguration of the new Parliament building instead of addressing the nation's fundamental issues.

''The old Parliament has enough space. No MP had ever demanded to build a new Parliament building. Modi wanted to glorify his name by inaugurating the new Parliament ignoring the basic problems of the country'', he said. Meanwhile, a poll official here said 15 complaints regarding violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) have been lodged by various political parties so far. These complaints have been submitted through various channels, including the C-vigil app, National Grievance Service Portal, physical copies, and suo motu to the poll panel, the official said.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Puneet Agarwal told reporters that all complaints are being thoroughly verified by the respective returning officers and assistant returning officers. ''Since the implementation of the MCC on March 16, the election panel has received 15 complaints related to violations of the code. In some instances, inquiries are initiated independently, and appropriate action is taken,'' he added.

Agarwal said five government employees have been suspended for breaching the poll code. In all, 84 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed across the state since April 1. These forces are engaged in activities such as flag marches, area dominations, and mobile patrolling to instill confidence among voters.

The elections for the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency and the byelection for the Ramnagar Assembly seat are scheduled for April 19, while voting in the Tripura East Parliamentary constituency will take place on April 26.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)