Jitendra Chaudhury strongly opposes reconstruction of Jackson Gate in Agartala

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Tripura Legislative Assembly and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Tuesday strongly objected to the state government’s decision to reconstruct the historic Jackson Gate in Agartala, alleging that the BJP–RSS is more focused on glorifying British-era legacy than addressing pressing public issues.

Recently, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, along with Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Mayor Dipak Majumder and Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary Kiran Gitte, visited the site near Tulsibati Girls’ School where the Jackson Gate is proposed to be rebuilt.

The Jackson Gate was originally constructed during the reign of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, who was coronated in 1927. In August 1929, during his first Raj Darbar, Sir Francis Stanley Jackson, the then Governor of Bengal Province, attended the event as a special guest, lending the gate its historical name and significance.

In November 2025, Chief Minister Dr Saha announced the decision to reconstruct the demolished landmark, reviving memories of the royal-era structure that was torn down in 1981 during the Left Front regime.

“Unlike other governments, our government has given due respect to the royal legacy,” Dr Saha had said. “The Jackson Gate was demolished earlier. I have instructed officials to reconstruct the gate exactly as it looked before.”

Reacting sharply to the move, Jitendra Chaudhury, while speaking to media persons on Tuesday, criticized the government’s priorities. He claimed that roads, schools, hospitals and other basic infrastructure across the state are in a pathetic condition, yet the BJP-led government is spending public money on reconstructing symbols associated with the British Raj instead of addressing developmental needs.

The CPI (M) leader further alleged that the ruling party is misusing public funds for political gains while ignoring critical issues such as unemployment, rising prices and the deteriorating civic infrastructure. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the reconstruction decision.

Meanwhile, the state government has maintained that the project aims to beautify the city and preserve its heritage. However, opposition parties continue to question the intent and execution of the reconstruction.

It may be recalled that in 1981, the then Left Front government, led by Chief Minister Nripen Chakraborty, ordered the demolition of the Jackson Gate. The government cited the gate’s narrow structure and the need for road widening as the primary reasons for its removal, amid a broader push for public education and infrastructure development.