Tripura elections: A look at the election manifesto of the major parties in the race

Image used for representational purpose. File Photo

Tripura - a state in India's north-east sharing border with neighboring Bangladesh - is all set for Assembly elections on Thursday; February 16. The preparations are on with poll officials' rush to 3,337 polling stations from different parts of the BJP-ruled state.

As many as 259 candidates are in race for polls to the 60-member Tripura Assembly. In the major political race, the parties - BJP-IPFT combine, CPI(M)-Congress alliance, and Tipra Motha - are at the forefront.

Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded candidates in 55 seats. IPFT - BJP's ally - is contesting in six constituencies. However, there will be a friendly fight in one seat.

The CPI(M) and Congress are contesting 47 and 13 seats respectively, while Tipra Motha has fielded candidates in 42 seats. The Trinamool Congress is contesting in 28 constituencies. The number of independent candidates ran up to 58.

Amid the high-voltage election aura, the political parties and their candidates made many electoral promises. This piece delves into what these parties have in the ‘cart' for the commoners in Tripura amid this assembly election.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday promised greater autonomy for tribal areas, an increase in farmers' monetary assistance and industry-specific manufacturing zones based on rubber if it returns to power for the second time in a row in Tripura.

BJP president JP Nadda also announced a Rs 5 meal scheme for all, named after religious guru Anukul Chandra, and setting up a Regional Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Agartala.

BJP's manifesto said that Balika Samridddhi bond of Rs 50,000 will be given to every girl child while the tribal language Kokborok will become subjects in CBSE and ICSE curricula.

"We will set up industry-specific manufacturing zones based on rubber, Agar and bamboo. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of Rs 6,000 will be raised with the state government providing Rs 2,000 more," BJP President JP Nadda had said.

Nadda had also said that if voted back to power, the BJP will give greater autonomy including more legislative, executive and financial powers for tribal areas.

The Congress manifesto for the Tripura Assembly election promised old pension scheme for government employees, 50,000 new jobs, increase in wages of agricultural labourers and free 150 units of electricity, if the party is voted to power.

During the release of the Congress manifesto, senior leader and lone party MLA Sudip Roy Barman said a 20-point programme has been chalked out keeping in mind the welfare of poor and middle class people.

In the manifesto, the party has focussed on employment, welfare of employees, poor and middle class people, he said.

Employment in the government sector will be done on a regular basis, he said, adding that 50,000 job opportunities will be created in the next five year.

"The wages of tea garden, agricultural labourers and other labourers will be increased based on the consumer price index", he said, adding integrated package would be given for socio economic development of minority people.

Also read: Tripura Election: The real fight this time is for democracy, civil liberties, says Manik Sarkar

Roy Barman said a realistic approach will be made to solve the problem of 10,323 retrenched teachers and SSA teachers will be given better remuneration. The Congress also favours empowerment of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) by amending 125th Constitution.

"The party also promised to provide free 150 units of electricity to the people by preventing pilferage and transmission loss", he said, adding that the law and order will be dealt with an iron hand.

The CPI(M)-led Left Front promised 2.5 lakh new jobs, pension to poor senior citizens, and reintroduction of the old pension scheme and two DA hikes for government employees every year if it is voted to power.

In the 15-page manifesto, it also promised the reinstatement of 10,323 retrenched teachers, regularisation of services of contractual employees and more autonomy to the tribal council.
Addressing a press conference, Left Front convener Narayan Kar alleged that democracy was throttled in Tripura after the BJP came to power in 2018.

"Voting rights of people have been snatched away under the BJP-IPFT regime, while people's liberty to raise their voice has been lost. The Left Front will restore the democratic values once it wins the elections," he said.
"We will create 2.5 lakh jobs during the next five years if the Left Front secures the blessing of the people," he said, adding that contractual employees will also be regularised as per the guidelines.

Any person whose age is over 60 years and has an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh will get social pension, Kar said.

The Left Front will also increase the dearness allowance (DA) of government employees twice a year based on the consumer price index and reintroduce the old pension scheme, he said.

The Left Front also promised 200-day work per year to the poor to boost the rural economy. Kar said the Left Front will provide high level of autonomy for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

Trinamool Congress in its manifesto promised 2 lakh new jobs, Rs 1,000 annual stipend for school students in classes 4 to 8 and the same amount per month for unemployed youths, and social welfare schemes on the lines of those in West Bengal.

West Bengal education minister Bratya Basu said that if the party is voted to power in Tripura, it will create 2 lakh jobs in five years with 50,000 new jobs in the first year itself.

"All vacant posts in the government departments will be filled up on mission mode," he said. "The TMC will provide assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to jobless youths, and 10,323 retrenched teachers will also get the benefit until their legal matter is resolved," he said.

The TMC promised a skill university, student credit cards and easy loans for those who want to pursue higher education. "Rs 1,000 annual stipend will be given to the students in classes 4 to 8," he said.

West Bengal Industries Minister Shashi Panja said the Trinamool Congress is committed to implement welfare schemes such as Kanyashri and Lakkhir Bhandar, among others, in the Northeastern state.

Tipra Motha in its Manifesto promised to fight for 'Greater Tipraland', besides a police force for the tribal council, 20,000 new jobs and a one-time package for militants who surrender.

Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Debbarma said non-tribals living in the tribal council area will not be forced out, and Rs 25,000 per month will be given to all 'samajpatis' of the indigenous tribes.

"Tipra Motha is fully committed to the core ideological demand of a permanent constitutional solution for the indigenous people of Tripura and until it's not achieved, we shall continue to fight for the rights of our people," he said.

The manifesto proposed a Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Police Bill for a police force under its administration. Around 6,000 youths will be recruited for it.

Debbarma said land rights will be given to the people who have not got it yet if his party is voted to power. He also promised to set up a Manipuri Welfare Board for the development of the community.

(Compiled with inputs from PTI)