Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Thursday castigated the CPI(M) and Congress for murdering democracy over the last 35 years and stated that both parties have no significant issues to contest in this Lok Sabha election.

Addressing an election public meeting organized in Ward No. 39 under 8-Town Bardowali Mandal on Thursday evening, he highlighted that this Lok Sabha election marks the first time there is no widespread anti-incumbency sentiment, unlike in previous elections.

"In this Lok Sabha election, the opposition has no substantial issues to contest. They merely repeat the rhetoric of lacking democracy and claim to be contesting to save the constitution. Yet, they fail to acknowledge the absence of democracy during their own regimes over the past 35 years. What did we witness under their rule? Only violence. Just yesterday, I visited the South district where approximately 69 Congress supporters were killed. Where was democracy then? They even killed Chanmohan Tripura and also one of their own cabinet ministers. Where was democracy in those instances?" said Dr Saha.

He also criticized the CPIM for engaging in politics by instilling fear across the state.

"According to them, only a person affiliated with CPIM is considered a good person. This is their version of democracy. They have undermined democracy and shown no respect for it. Prime Minister Modi has upheld the Indian constitution. We waited 500 years for the Ram Mandir, and it was fulfilled due to PM Modi's efforts. The upcoming Lok Sabha election is crucial for the country's development and will determine its future direction. We never witnessed such a wave of development before 2014," he emphasized, highlighting PM Modi's contributions to Tripura and other Northeastern states. "They rely solely on lies and confuse the people. They are dramatists," Dr Saha added.