Two Years of BJP Government in Tripura: Development or Deception?
Jayanta Debnath
March 9, 2025
Tripura Celebrates Two Years Under BJP Rule
Agartala, March 9, 2025: The BJP-led government in Tripura completed two years in office yesterday, with Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha inaugurating a grand event at Rabindra Bhavan, Agartala. Speaking at the event, Dr. Saha emphasized that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," Tripura has made significant strides in infrastructure, social welfare, economic growth, and self-reliance in technology.
The Chief Minister highlighted several achievements, including improvements in law and order, employment generation, and the implementation of numerous welfare schemes. According to government data, the state’s per capita income has increased from 1,13,016 in 2018-19 to 1,77,723 in 2023-24. The administration also claims to have strengthened sectors like health, education, tourism, and rural development while promoting industrial investment.
Several key statistics were shared at the event:
Tourism Boom: Upgraded tourism infrastructure has led to a significant rise in visitors, generating employment opportunities.
Employment Growth: Since 2018, 17,645 government jobs have been created, including 5,972 in the last two years, with recruitment for 8,252 more positions underway. A new Startup Policy 2024 has been introduced to encourage entrepreneurship.
Welfare Schemes: Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 4.28 lakh families have received houses, including 1.83 lakh in the last two years.
Tribal Development: The government claims to have delivered piped water to 6.39 lakh households under Jal Jeevan Mission, with 1.81 lakh houses connected in the last two years. Additionally, a 1,000 crore World Bank project is planned for tribal welfare.
Law and Order: The administration claims improved law enforcement, with a crackdown on drug trafficking and crime.
Industrial Growth: The government introduced a new industrial policy to attract investment and foster economic growth.
Dr. Saha stated, “Tripura is on a path of transformation, and our efforts in digital governance, infrastructure, and employment are creating a self-reliant state.”
However, the opposition has a drastically different perspective on these claims.
Opposition: "Tripura is Drowning in Corruption"
While the ruling BJP government celebrated its two-year milestone, opposition parties—CPIM and Congress—launched scathing attacks, accusing the government of corruption, misgovernance, and misleading the people.
CPIM's Allegations: "Incomplete Projects Inaugurated, Corruption Everywhere"
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury dismissed the BJP’s achievements as mere propaganda, stating, "Tripura is drowning in a sea of corruption, and the BJP is fooling people with false claims."
Chaudhury accused the government of:
Re-inaugurating old projects: BJP leaders are allegedly showcasing incomplete projects started during the CPIM regime as their own.
Favoring outside contractors: He claimed that most government tenders are manipulated to benefit contractors from outside Tripura, allowing BJP leaders to pocket commissions.
Rising Unemployment: He alleged that due to job shortages, unemployed youth are being pushed into illegal activities like the drug trade and land scams.
Neglecting Tribal Areas: Despite BJP’s claims of tribal welfare, many tribal regions still face water shortages, poor roads, and lack of education and healthcare facilities.
Chaudhury further criticized Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma and the IPFT leadership, accusing them of remaining silent while tribals suffer under BJP rule. He urged the people of Tripura to "take to the streets with courage and overthrow this corrupt government."
Congress: "BJP is Looting Tripura Instead of Developing It"
The All India Congress Committee’s Tripura in-charge, MP Saptagiri Shankar Ulaka, launched an even stronger attack on the BJP government. Speaking at a press conference yesterday at Congress Bhavan, Agartala, he stated, "Instead of development, BJP leaders are only increasing their bank balances."
Congress accused the BJP government of:
Collapsing law and order: A surge in crimes, including land mafia activities and drug trafficking, allegedly involving BJP leaders.
Blocking local contractors: Manipulating tenders so that only out-of-state companies receive contracts, leaving local businesses struggling.
Neglecting Infrastructure: Despite claims of progress, roads, healthcare, and education have seen little improvement.
Destroying Democracy: Ulaka alleged that under BJP rule, people have lost their democratic rights, and dissenting voices are being suppressed.
Ulaka also revealed that Congress President Rahul Gandhi would soon visit Tripura to lead protests against the BJP government’s misrule.
Who is Right? BJP or Opposition?
As the BJP government completes two years, the state presents two conflicting narratives—one of progress and transformation as claimed by the ruling party, and another of corruption and governance failure as alleged by the opposition.
While official statistics indicate growth in per capita income and infrastructure, opposition leaders argue that these figures do not reflect the ground reality. Unemployment, contractor favoritism, and law and order remain key concerns.
With Tripura heading towards another electoral battle in the coming years, the people must decide: Is Tripura truly developing, or is it sinking under corruption and false promises?
(Tripurainfo)