Tripura BJP President Rajib Bhattacharya on Thursday sharply criticized the CPI(M), accusing the former Left government of failing to deliver justice following the 1980 riots and the 1996 Kamalpur Colony Bazar massacre.

Speaking at a press conference at the BJP state office, Bhattacharya claimed that the then Communist government neither set up an investigation commission into the 1980 riots nor disclosed the number of deaths, evictions, or affected people. 

“It is evident that the government lacked honesty and the proper approach to handle such tragedies,” he said.

He alleged that the CPI(M) had prior information about the riots but did not alert the police. “For 36 hours, no official visited Mandai. Bodies remained unattended for a week, spreading stench, yet no action was taken,” Bhattacharya stated. He also recalled that former Prime Minister and then BJP national president Atal Bihari Vajpayee had personally urged the state government to act, but his advice was ignored. “Shockingly, the ruling CPI(M) expressed no regret after the incident,” he added.

Referring to the 1996 Kamalpur Colony Bazar massacre, where 25 people lost their lives, Bhattacharya said, “Timely police intervention could have saved many lives. Even today, no white paper has clarified who was responsible.”

He further alleged that after coming to power in 1993, the Left government attempted to recruit militants into vacant state posts in 1994—a decision later withdrawn following public outrage. He also accused the CPI(M) of trying to sow divisions between the plains and hills.

On a separate note, Bhattacharya highlighted the 56th GST Council meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, noting several GST rate reductions, including zero tax in some cases, which will directly benefit the people. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Finance Minister for the relief measures.