A complex game in Tripura

by Prasenjit Chakraborty
February 24, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/540/a-complex-game-in-tripura

Really peculiar situation is prevailing for Tripura CPM in the run up to the ADC elections. The party has to proactively propagate against a demand that has very poor support in the mass base and invite bitter consequences. Because, to win the elections in ADC, that could be held in April this year, it needs a division in opposition vote bank. And the demand for a separate state can put the anti left tribal voters in a political dilemma. In such a situation, CPM can certainly squeeze the immediate benefit.

The demand for a separate state in Autonomous District Council area by Indigenous Peoples' Front of Tripura (IPFT) could not, so far, leave any impression upon the mind of the common local tribal. For that, lack of own organizational strength and non-committal stand of major tribal based party INPT(Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra) are the two factors responsible, the IPFT remained limited to some areas only. What it hoped prior to raising this demand officially has not happened. The party is well aware that, in absence of mass based popular leadership, diversion of public mind from preoccupied ideas and thinking is quite hard, in a communist state.

But, the ruling CPM seems to be making the matter easy for IPFT. It has launched a negative propaganda against the demand of it's erstwhile main opposition in ADC. IPFT threw CPM out of power in ADC elections held in the year 2000, allegedly with the help of banned ultras.

In almost all the programs in district council area, the left leaders are cautioning the general public of the unholy demand that may take the local people to a state of disorder. They say, they are making people aware about the danger of separatist movement. But the fact is that they are making the demand an 'issue' in tribal belts to counter it's present principal opposition alliance Congress-INPT eyeing at the coming elections. CPM's plan is clear, divide the vote bank of opposition. If the demand for separate state gains ground to a limited extent, the IPFT may throw a challenge to INPT, it's political enemy. Then, INPT shall be bound to turn eyes to primary opposition to protect the mass base, leaving behind the smoky ambition of capturing power in the major autonomous body.

By footballing the demand for a separate state in the name 'Tripura Ha' giving a maximum cut to the geography of present Tripura state, CPM may have an immediate political gain, but, in next future, it may confront a dreaded political consequence. Because, once the demand becomes an issue in tribal populace, it might reign future politics in the state bringing maximum difficulties for CPM led state government.

In Indian politics, CPM is known for learning a lesson after the time is over. In post VP Sing govt. era, CPM started and gradually intensified the propaganda against so called menace of communalism targeting the BJP, that benefitted BJP. Now, what will happen in relation with IPFT, nobody knows. Only, a section of left liberal intellectuals apprehend that CPM is digging it's own grave.

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