Tripura Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath today lashed out at Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury, demanding a public apology for his remarks allegedly mocking tall individuals and branding Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP as "cheaters."

Speaking at a press conference, Nath alleged that the LoP had called tall people “fools” in his public speech and said such statements are not only derogatory but also reflect a “frustrated and unstable mindset.”

“He has directly insulted tall individuals, not just in Tripura or India, but globally. Does he not know that former CPIM Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and ex-Minister Aghor Debbarma were also tall? Does that make them fools? What kind of politics is this?” Nath asked.

Nath said if Chaudhury is “mentally stable,” he must apologize publicly. “Otherwise, the CPIM leadership should arrange medical treatment for him,” he added.

Referring to past controversies, Nath accused the LoP of being involved in the infamous "ginger scam" and claimed that former CPIM Education Minister Anil Sarkar had once initiated a file documenting Chaudhury’s alleged misdeeds.

He also objected to Chaudhury’s reported comments about Brahmins eating beef, calling them “deeply insensitive and unbecoming of a senior leader.”

Further, Nath challenged the LoP to an open debate on the development Tripura has witnessed over the past seven years.

“Be it infrastructure or social welfare, the progress under the leadership of Biplab Kumar Deb and now CM Dr. Manik Saha has been remarkable. In contrast, the CPIM, despite ruling for decades, failed to make any significant impact in tribal areas,” he said.

Criticizing Chaudhury for allegedly calling Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma a “cheater,” Nath said, “Does he not see the transformation in Assam? Himanta Biswa Sarma is among the most efficient Chief Ministers in the country today.”

He concluded by saying that Chaudhury’s remarks stem from “frustration and an attempt to mislead tribal and other communities for political gain.”