Sarkar Claims Political Vendetta Behind Arrests of Left Workers in Tripura
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Nov 25, 2025
- 1195
The arrest of four CPI(M) supporters following a CITU rally in Agartala has once again highlighted the intensifying political confrontation in Tripura, where law enforcement and political narratives increasingly overlap. Former Chief Minister and CPI(M) Politburo member Manik Sarkar’s visit to the detained workers’ homes on Tuesday signals that the Left is treating the incident not merely as a case of police excess, but as a larger political message.
From Sarkar’s standpoint, the arrests represent a systematic attempt by the BJP-led State government to deter public mobilization by opposition parties. His allegation—that police action was “motivated and orchestrated” to intimidate CPI(M) supporters—reflects a recurring theme in Tripura’s current political landscape: the shrinking space for street-level political activity for the opposition.
The government and police, however, present a sharply different account.
Officials maintain that the four workers violated prohibitory orders by attempting to cross a flyover to join the rally, framing the arrests as a routine enforcement of restrictions rather than political reprisal. This defence suggests that the administration wants to position the incident within the framework of law-and-order management, distancing itself from partisan motives.
Yet, the backdrop raises questions. The CITU rally, reportedly held without police permission yet drawing a significant turnout, indicates that the Left still retains the organizational capacity to mobilize workers on the ground. Sarkar’s argument—that the large turnout “unnerved” the ruling party—is consistent with the CPI(M)’s narrative that the BJP is increasingly relying on administrative levers rather than political engagement to manage opposition pressure.
For analysts, the episode underscores a deeper shift: as electoral dominance consolidates, contestation in Tripura is moving from ballot politics to street-level symbolism and administrative pushback. The arrests may not drastically alter the political balance, but they serve as another flashpoint in the ongoing struggle over who controls public political space in the State.
Whether the incident fades as a localized law-and-order dispute or grows into a wider campaign narrative for the Left will depend on how both sides use it in the coming weeks. For now, the episode highlights a political climate where rallies, arrests, and counterclaims are becoming indicators of a deeper contest for legitimacy and visibility.