Manik Sarkar, the 64-year-old chief minister of Tripura, is widely expected to win his fourth consecutive term when the results of the state’s elections are announced on February 28. Sarkar is an oddity in Indian politics when it comes to personal wealth. According to the mandatory disclosure of financial assets before the filing of nomination papers, the chief minister had Rs 1,080 in hand and a bank balance of Rs 9,720. Clad in a white kurta, pyjama and a grey woollen jacket, Sarkar arrives for this interview in a small room at the Tripura CPI(M) headquarters in Agartala. His critics accuse him of being arrogant, but Sarkar is a warm man, brimming with plans to take Tripura on a quick path to development. Prasun Chaudhuri spoke to the man who may become the longest serving chief minister of India after Jyoti Basu. Excerpts:

Q: Wasn’t this year’s Assembly election a bit tougher than the earlier ones — given that the communists lost in West Bengal and Kerala?

A: Every election is a tough battle. By the way, we didn’t do that badly in Kerala. We got around 41 per cent of the votes and barely missed the chance to form the government. In West Bengal, the slogan of paribartan swayed the masses and now they have realised their mistake. The opposition Congress (and its allies) tried the same strategy here, but it didn’t work.

Q: So in all likelihood you are coming back to power for the fourth consecutive term?

A: What do you mean by power? States have hardly any power in our country. Structurally, India is a federal nation but the power lies with the Centre. Small states like ours are more dependent on the Centre. And they (Centre) love to keep us that way. This is why big states are being broken into pieces. It’s far easier to control a smaller state and deprive it. You can’t neglect an Uttar Pradesh, but you can easily ignore a Tripura.

Q: I meant that you are getting re-elected for the fourth consecutive term.

A: Yes. If you go by the body language of voters and their exuberance, we are certainly going to be re-elected for the 7th term (and the 4th consecutive term). No doubt, there’s a bit of an anti-incumbency feeling. But to a large extent our government solved people’s basic needs.

Q: There was a high turnout of voters this time — 93.57 per cent. Last time it was over 91 per cent. While the voting percentage is going down elsewhere, it’s rising in Tripura. Also, in other states higher voting usually goes against the ruling party, but it’s not so here. Why?

A: We campaign extensively, urging people to cast their votes irrespective of their choice of party. A large number of these voters were women. More women voters reflect spontaneous participation and a peaceful election.

Q: What has been the key achievement of the Left Front government in Tripura?

A: Bringing peace to a state that was mired in insurgency. We were able to weave a secular fabric although the state is a melting pot of people belonging to different castes, tribes, religions and languages. We have also strengthened literacy and education in the state. In fact, now we have the third highest rate of literacy among Indian states. Moreover, although we used to suffer from a power crisis before, now we have surplus power. Still, a lot remains to be done.

Q: How did you control the insurgents?

A: We countered the so-called ideology of the insurgents with our leftist ideology. This helped us show that their demands were hollow and were based on petty interests. We also urged security forces to restrain themselves. The earlier Congress government treated the tribes as second class citizens. We tried to tackle this as a political problem, not as a terrorist or a criminal issue. Then we implemented a flurry of developmental schemes in areas dominated by the tribes and insurgents.

However, I don’t think the problems have completely been rooted out. Peace has been restored, but it must last. There’s no scope for complacency.

Q: During the election campaign you said Congress leaders hobnob with militants. They too accuse your party of having links with militants.

A: We have proof of their links with extremists and surrendered ultras. The state leaders speak against extremism when they meet leaders at the Centre, but forge alliances with terrorists to grab votes. This doublespeak is typical of local Congress leaders.

Q: Congress leaders also claim there’s been massive corruption in the panchayat system ever since your government took over.

A: On the contrary, we have created one of the most vibrant panchayat systems in the country. Since we completely decentralised power in the panchayats, people have gained ownership. They are entrusted with planning and executing projects. So it’s they who investigate and punish corrupt individuals. The party also takes action against its members if they are found to be corrupt.

Q: It seems Tripura is turning out to be a model for the Communist Party’s revival in India. Just like the Kerala line or Bengal line can we now talk about a Tripura line of communism?

A: I don’t have the temerity to make such claims. As I said, the Left Front is doing fine in Kerala and recovering in Bengal. I also can’t say if others should follow our model since it is unique to the local context.

Tripura was one of the most undeveloped states even a few decades back. But today, there is no death from starvation here. Fathers don’t migrate en masse from this state. Mothers don’t sell their children out of poverty. On the contrary, our basic human development indices are quite high.

Q: If you come back to power, what will be your priority in the next term?

A: Now that we have created the infrastructure — connectivity, power and human resources (educated youth) — the state is conducive for industrialisation. With higher per capita income people have more buying power. If the railway link gets improved and roads stretch till the Chittagong port (barely 75km away) in Bangladesh, Tripura can turn into the gateway of east Asia. This can open up the world’s door to this landlocked state. Our state has huge agricultural and forest resources. We have plenty of natural gas reserves as well and we already have a 730 MW power project. More power can be generated. We have plans for ancillary units, such as fertiliser plants.

Q: Let’s conclude with a personal question.

A: No personal questions, please.

Q: It’s a simple one. I have heard that you love Hindustani classical music.

A: Yes, I love Hindustani classical music, both instrumental and vocal. Also Rabindrasangeet. My mornings are often filled with Bhimsen Joshi’s music. I also watch cricket. Played a bit during my college days.

WHAT’S HOT

In 2011, Tripura achieved an overall literacy rate of 87.75 per cent, up from 73.19 per cent in 2001.

Infant mortality rate fell from 42 per thousand in 1999 to 27 per thousand in 2010.

Per capita income doubled from Rs 24,394 per annum in 2004 to Rs 50,750 per annum in 2011.

WHAT’S NOT

The percentage of people below the poverty line (BPL) has gone up to 68 per cent in 2012 from 58 per cent in 1986.

Over 5.68 lakh unemployed youth in the state in 2011.

Tripura has the highest rate of crimes against women in the country. In 2011, this stood at 37 per lakh versus the national average of 18.9 per lakh.