Last Update: February 13, 2023, 10:44 IST
Kolkata [Calcutta]India
Jitendra Chowdhary is the state secretary of the CPIM and is contesting the February 16 election from the reserved constituency of Sabroom. (Photo: News18)
On the newly formed Tipra Motha, which has demanded a separate Greater Tipraland, Jitendra Chowdhary said his party is “open” to talks, but their demand may not be met.
Tripura tribal leader Jitendra Chowdhary, who could be the chief ministerial face of the Congress-CPIM alliance in the state, told News18 in an interview that the “sole motive” is to replace the present government.
Chowdhary, who is the state secretary of the CPIM and is contesting the February 16 election from the reserved constituency of Sabroom, said the Left and the Congress had “issues” initially, but they sat together and forged an alliance. Now both are fighting elections together.
The former minister said the Left, which was ousted by the BJP in the 2018 assembly polls, wants to replace the present government as it has made life worse for the people of Tripura and has done hardly anything for the tribals.
On the newly formed Tipra Motha, which has demanded a separate Greater Tipraland, Chowdhury said his party is “open” to talks but their demand may not be met.
Edited Interview:
Q: What’s the mood on the ground?
A: People are ready for change as they are unable to take this government (BJP). The life of the people of Tripura has gone from bad to worse in the last five years.
Question: But there has been a lot of development in the state. The new airport has become a highway, what do you have to say?
Answer: Ask BJP when these projects started and who started these projects. All these were started by our government, they only inaugurated them and nothing else. There has been no development in tribal areas.
Q: How is it to shake hands with arch-rivals?
Answer: Many times the parties have to listen to the voice of the people at the grassroots level. The situation is such that people want us to fight the Congress because the BJP is a fascist government. They have created such terror that it was the need of the hour. We initially sat with the Congress and it took time, but now we are together on the ground. We will bring change.
Q: What is the chemistry between you and Motha since he has not fielded a candidate against you? Why was there no alliance with them?
Answer: We have talked to Pradyot Manikya and there is agreement on some points and there is a need for development. I know the problems but this will not work for Greater Tipraland. The doors are open for talks with them.
Q: Are you the chief ministerial face of the party?
Answer: This does not happen in the Communist Party. Elected representatives will decide. I follow the orders of the party. Our main aim is to change this government, that’s all.
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