Tripura Left signals electoral fight for 2028 at farmers’ rally in Agartala Leaders allege attempts were made to restrict mobilisation; Hannan Mollah calls for a wider farmers’ and workers’ movement
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 1, 2026
The Left in Tripura sought to demonstrate its organisational strength ahead of the 2028 Assembly election, with a large public meeting organised by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in Agartala on Tuesday.
The meeting at Vivekananda Maidan, popularly known as Astabal Maidan, was held as part of the 22nd State conference of the AIKS’s Tripura unit. Addressing the gathering, State Kisan Sabha secretary Pabitra Kar said the political battle for the 2028 Assembly election had begun from the venue.
The Left leaders alleged that attempts had been made to restrict the mobilisation. Mr. Kar claimed that transport was sought to be disrupted through the sudden observance of ‘Drivers’ Day’, but said the measures failed to prevent people from attending the meeting.
State Kisan Sabha president and meeting chairman Aghor Debbarma thanked the participants for turning up despite what he described as “obstacles”. He accused the State government of not respecting democratic norms and alleged that people were being subjected to political pressure.
The gathering also witnessed strong criticism of the BJP-led government at the Centre, particularly over its agricultural policies.
AIKS vice-president and veteran farmers’ leader Hannan Mollah said farmers and workers were preparing for another phase of mobilisation against what he described as a “betrayal” by the government. He alleged that commitments made during the farmers’ agitation had not been honoured and accused the Centre of promoting policies that would increasingly benefit corporate interests in agriculture.
Mr. Mollah said the farmers’ movement would be joined by workers and younger sections of society. Calling for a wider campaign, he said there was a need to move beyond warnings and intensify organisational and mass mobilisation.
AIKS general secretary Biju Krishnan also targeted the Union government over the Minimum Support Price (MSP), agrarian distress, unemployment and education.
Mr. Krishnan alleged that the BJP had come to power in 2014 promising to implement the recommendations associated with the M.S. Swaminathan Commission on farmers’ income and MSP, but had subsequently failed to fulfil the commitment.
Invoking Swami Vivekananda’s emphasis on addressing hunger and material deprivation, Mr. Krishnan criticised what he described as the growing emphasis on religious politics while unemployment and economic distress remained unresolved. He also accused the government of promoting privatisation in education.
He announced plans for intensified mobilisation involving farmers, workers and youth from November.
Tripura Assembly Opposition Leader Jitendra Chaudhury criticised the State government over what he described as a deteriorating democratic environment. Referring to political exchanges inside and outside the Assembly, he alleged that threats and attempts to silence the Opposition had become increasingly common.
Mr. Chaudhury also referred to the death of former Director-General of Police Anurag Dhankar and the controversy surrounding his death and the alleged suicide note. He said questions had been raised not only by the Opposition but also by members of the bereaved family and sought clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Opposition leader also accused the State government of pursuing policies that were creating insecurity, unemployment and difficulties in the education sector. He alleged that efforts were being made to increase the role of private entities in education.
The public meeting followed the formal inauguration of the AIKS Tripura State conference at Agartala’s Town Hall earlier in the day. Mr. Debbarma hoisted the organisation’s flag in the presence of Mr. Mollah, Mr. Krishnan and other leaders, including West Bengal-based farmers’ leaders Biplab Majumdar and Amal Halder.
As many as 538 selected farmer delegates are participating in the three-day State conference, according to the organisers. Leaders and representatives of various mass organisations affiliated with the Left were also present.
The conference began with tributes at a memorial to farmers and other activists who had died between the previous and the current State conferences. A condolence resolution was subsequently read out by AIKS State assistant secretary Ratan Das.
The Agartala mobilisation comes at a time when the Tripura Left is seeking to consolidate its organisational base and challenge the ruling BJP ahead of the next Assembly election. Tuesday’s rally was therefore projected by its leaders not merely as a farmers’ gathering but as the beginning of a broader political campaign.
For the Left leadership, the central message from the Agartala meeting was clear: the contest for 2028 may still be some distance away, but preparations for it have begun.
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