BJP Flexes Muscle in Agartala, Manik Saha Targets Opposition Ahead of Civic Polls

Agartala: With the Agartala Municipal Corporation elections approaching, the BJP on Saturday took its political battle to the streets, staging a major rally under the slogan “Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy” and showcasing its organisational strength in the state capital.

Led by Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, the march drew party leaders, workers and supporters carrying BJP flags and raising slogans on democracy, the protection of constitutional institutions and opposition to political violence. Coming a day after a joint programme by opposition parties, the BJP's show of strength added a fresh dimension to the intensifying political contest ahead of the civic polls.

Addressing supporters after the march, Saha launched a direct attack on the opposition, arguing that unrest, violence and attempts to control society through muscle power could never represent democracy. He said the people must have the final say in a democratic system, and their decision must be expressed through the ballot. Protecting the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, he added, was the responsibility of every citizen.

A substantial part of the Chief Minister's address was devoted to criticising the Congress, CPI(M) and the INDIA bloc. He alleged that opposition parties, after suffering electoral defeats, had repeatedly questioned constitutional institutions such as the Supreme Court and the Election Commission. He also questioned whether allegations over the transparency of electoral processes were being used to create public distrust in these institutions.

Saha also defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, challenging the opposition's criticism of the exercise. He pointed out that many voters had died over the years while others had shifted to different places, making periodic revision essential to keep electoral rolls accurate and updated.

The purpose of the exercise, he said, was to ensure that all eligible voters remained on the rolls while verifying the names of those who were no longer eligible. He accused the Congress, CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress of opposing the process for political reasons. Claiming that the country was progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saha urged BJP workers to reach out to households and make people aware of democracy and the rule of law.

Saturday's programme, however, carried significance beyond the exchange of political accusations. With the Agartala Municipal Corporation elections drawing closer, the BJP's mobilisation on the streets was also a public display of its election preparedness. Following the opposition's joint march a day earlier, the ruling party's rally underlined how the capital's political contest is gathering momentum.

The coming weeks will show whether this street-level mobilisation translates into stronger voter outreach and electoral support. For now, Agartala has entered an increasingly charged phase of civic election politics.