Former Tripura Chief Minister and CPIM Politburo member Manik Sarkar on Friday accused the BJP-led central government of conspiring to manipulate electoral rolls to consolidate its hold on power.

The CPIM Tripura State Committee organised a massive procession and public meeting in the capital, protesting what it called the “undemocratic” removal of legitimate voters’ names during the special intensive revision of the electoral roll.

The rally began from the party’s state office at Melarmath and passed through key streets before culminating at Shakuntala Road, where senior leaders, including State Secretary and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury and former minister Manik Dey, joined Sarkar in addressing the gathering.

“In states where BJP is not in power, they try to capture it by any means. Where they are in power, they are now using the guise of voter list revision to ensure they stay in power,” Sarkar alleged. He claimed that the Election Commission’s decision to conduct similar revisions in all post-Bihar election states was aimed at benefitting the BJP.

He also accused the ruling party of altering the process of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner to serve its political interests, turning the poll panel into a “tool.” Sarkar said the CPIM and other INDIA Bloc members would jointly protest outside the Election Commission’s office in New Delhi on August 11, with further agitation plans to follow.

Jitendra Chaudhury reiterated the party’s call for a united opposition to defend democratic rights. The protest drew large crowds of CPIM workers and supporters, chanting slogans and carrying placards demanding free and fair elections.