A disturbed CM of disturbed State

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has launched a fresh offensive against the Centre. He has levelled all sorts of allegations against the Centre ranging from New Delhi’s failure to combat terrorism in the North-East region to its inability to tap the sporting talents of the region. After becoming Chief Minister, so far, the Tripura Chief Minister has impressed many, even some of his critics by his no nonsense attitude in dealing with the problems, the tiny North-Eastern State is facing today. Thus, when he makes allegations, which are very serious in nature, those allegations really require a close scrutiny.

But in case of a close study into the accusations the Tripura Chief Minister made against the Centre might force even some of his friends to differ from him with due apology. As a matter of fact, this was perhaps for the first time Manik Sarkar spoke more like a leader of a political party, than a Chief Minister of a trouble-torn State.

There is no denying that at times, the North-East region did not get adequate attention from the Centre. Many problems, which could have easily been nipped in the bud, were allowed to snowball into a major crisis due to lack of attention. But blaming New Delhi for all the ailment the North-East region is plagued with an act of telling half-truths. The other side of the story may not be very palatable for Mr. Manik Sarkar and his friends.

Before accusing the Centre for its failure to tackle insurgency problem in Tripura, would Mr. Sarkar give an answer to what really prevented his party government to declare the entire State as disturbed during H. D. Deve Gowda’s Prime Ministership? Who forced the security forces to take on the militants with their hands tied at the back? For Tripura Chief Minister’s information, Nagaland was declared as disturbed area when the Congress party was in the power both at the Centre and in the State. Why did his party put pressure on H. D. Deve Gowda, who was largely dependent upon the Left for the existence of his government, not to declare the entire State as disturbed?

While the Tripura Chief Minister is fuming over the fact that the Centre did not pay any heed to his list of terrorists hiding in Bangladesh and their training camps, another senior member of his party and West Bengal Chief Minister did not really believe Bangladesh is harbouring the militant outfits active in the North-East region as in his opinion it was the Pakistani ISI which was instrumental behind the terrorist acts in the region. One hopes before levelling any further allegations against the Centre, Mr. Sarkar will first ascertain the views of his senior colleague to save him and his party from the uncalled for embarrassment.
           
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