To counter Modi: CPI M organises Mega Rally in Dhalali district

The rally to be addressed by CPI(M)'s star campaigner Manik Sarkar has been planned in this region in northern part of Tripura on Thursday afternoon coinciding with the timing of Mr Modi's rally at Kailashahar apparently seeking to 'upset' BJP's Mega Rally to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Kailashahar.

A large number of BJP workers have already thronged in Kailashahar from places like Kamalpur, Manik Bhandar, Surma assembly segment and Ambasa in the Dhalai district even as a substantial number of them are expected to come even during the day from these places and also sensitive political hubs like Shantir Bazaar, Kulai and Halali.

"We know the CPI-M intent. But their machinations will not help. CPI(M) by all their tricks cannot sabotage Modi's Mega Rally at Kailashahar where at least 20 candidates from the districts of Unakoti, Dhalai and North Tripura and a few from Longtorai sections can attend the mega event," said campaign organiser.

The BJP's star-studded campaign has predictably left the CPI-M workers anguished, claim BJP workers.

"Surveys and various assessments suggest, the BJP is coming to power. The Left cadres are nervous and frustrated," says Avinash Talukdar, also a BJP supporter in Kailashahar town.

The  CPI-M led Left Front government came to power in Tripura in 1993 after  the end of five year Congress rule and the incumbent Chief Minister  Manik Sarkar is in office since 1998. The BJP leadership has  eyed this northeastern state to wrest power and the party's  organisational growth has been phenomenal in last two years.

Several former Congress leaders and supporters and a substantial number of them from the CPI-M have also joined the BJP.

Meanwhile, according to reports reaching this town - just on the eve of Prime Minister's rally - many new faces and substantial number of workers and supporters from other parties are joining BJP.

At village Saydachhara, Late communist leader Niti Deb Barma's grandson Sajal Deb Barma along with members of 16 families - making at least 60  votes joined the saffron party. In communally sensitive Kailashahar town where there are adequate number of Muslims, a significant number of minority community voters also reportedly shifted allegiance in last few days. 

Reports of similar desertion in the CPI-M camp has come Karamchhara area of Ambasa in Dhalai district, the pro-Left supporters at Kalar Chhori locality in Kamalpur township also reportedly pledged their support to the saffron party.

A visibly upset CPI-M has in last few days also tried to raise the bogey of faulty EVMs - of course only to be ridiculed by the BJP.

Moreover, Prime Minister Modi's first rally in the state at Sonamura is being seen as a major challenge to the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar as his constituency Dhanpur also falls in nearby areas.

A few CPI-M leaders are admitting in private that due to 25-year-long undisturbed Left rule in the state, the BJP's slogan 'Chalo Paltai (Come, Let us Change)' is showing some impact and can reflect anti incumbency mood against the CPI-M led regime.