Agartala, November 10: Tripura’s former Minister and Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman on Monday asserted that the CPI(M) has lost its political relevance in Tripura, claiming that the Congress will contest the upcoming elections independently and form the next government for the welfare of the people.

Addressing a joining programme at Dharmanagar in North Tripura district, where 137 families joined the Congress in the presence of state party president Asish Kumar Saha, Roy Barman said the people of Tripura now desire a change in leadership and governance.

He stated that among those who joined, 102 families were earlier associated with the CPI(M), while 35 others joined from different political backgrounds. “The people have realized that supporting the CPI(M) indirectly benefits the BJP. After 25 years of CPI(M) rule and the subsequent BJP regime, citizens now want to see Congress back in power,” Roy Barman said.

The Congress MLA accused the BJP of misusing the Election Commission and manipulating elections to stay in power. He said the Congress remains the only party that continues to fight for the rights of the poor, minorities, Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and Scheduled Tribes.

Criticizing the state government, Roy Barman alleged that Tripura is witnessing an alarming rise in drug abuse and crime due to administrative failure. “Law and order have completely collapsed. Unemployment is widespread, with over 51,000 posts lying vacant. No new industries are being set up, and existing ones have left the state. The situation is alarming,” he said.

He urged people to support Congress to restore democracy and ensure development across Tripura.