Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman today launched a sharp criticism of the former CPI(M) government, alleging that blood donation camps held during its tenure were not always fully voluntary and that common citizens and office employees were at times “compelled” to participate.

He made these remarks while responding to former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s statement that the number of blood donation camps has declined after the BJP assumed power. The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a blood donation camp in Nalchar, Sepahijala district.

Barman said that official records would clearly reflect the number of camps conducted during different political periods, adding that the data would reveal the true picture.

“Earlier, blood was not always donated voluntarily; it was, in a way, taken. People from poorer sections as well as office employees were pressured,” he alleged.

He further claimed that during the previous administration, certain clerical employees—often linked to ruling party-affiliated groups—held significant influence in offices, sometimes even overshadowing senior officials. According to him, staff were reportedly expected to follow instructions, contribute regular payments, and faced threats of administrative action or transfers if they did not comply.

The Minister also referred to his student days, alleging that similar patterns existed in educational institutions, where staff associated with ruling party organisations were said to exert control over decision-making and enforce collection of subscriptions from others.