Sonamura: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to voters in Tripura to oust the CPM-led Left Front government and choose HIRA, his acronym for "highways, i-ways, roadways and airways" over "Manik" in the Assembly elections on February 18.
Addressing a massive poll rally at Rangamatia Madrasa grounds here in Sonamura subdivision, 60km from Agartala, Modi said if voted to power, the BJP would develop HIRA, which would bring development to the people.
In an oblique reference to Tripura's incumbent chief minister Manik Sarkar, Modi said, "People have worn the wrong gemstone (Manik) for long. It's time you changed it to Hira."
He claimed that the benefits of good governance hadn't reached the state in the 25 years of Left rule. He said his party, if elected, would work to achieve "transformation through transportation". He claimed that proper connectivity through road, rail, air and Internet was very important for the fulfilment of peoples' aspirations.
Launching an attack on Sarkar and his government, Modi said the people were living a life of "neo-slavery" under the Left Front. "People are intimidated and forced to depend on the Communist Party for basic things such as filing an FIR or seeking justice. This is the new face of slavery," he said.
He said vikas yug or the era of development was close for Tripura and, if chosen, the new government, led by the BJP, would introduce Seventh Pay Commission benefits right after its formation. Minimum labour wage will be introduced on a par with the rest of the country, which, the PM claimed, was higher than the state government's rate.
He offered three Ts - trade, tourism and training - for alleviating the lifestyle of the people in the state.
On corruption, Modi said millions were "looted" in Tripura by Rose Valley chit fund. Taking a potshot at Sarkar, he said those who "benefited" from the chit fund should be punished.
In 2008, Sarkar had endorsed Rose Valley group's business activities at an event in an amusement park then owned by the chit fund company. Later, the CBI had grilled minister for social welfare and social education Bijita Nath and CPM spokesperson Goutam Das while investigating the case.
Over 60,000 people turned up for the rally. Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP's state in-charge Sunil Deodhar and 18 candidates were present at the event.
Addressing another rally at Kailashahar in Unakoti district, 190km from Agartala, in the afternoon, Modi said the long Communist regime had damaged the democratic environment in the state. He promised development if his party forms the government.
He lauded Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, the last reigning king of Tripura's Manikya dynasty, and said the late monarch had a "dream of developed Tripura". He assured the people that the BJP would fulfil the royal dream if it wins the elections.
Maharaja Bir Bikram died in May 1947, shortly before India achieved Independence. The regent, Maharani Kanchanprabha Devi, initiated a dialogue with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and signed an instrument of merger with the Indian Union, merging princely Tripura with the country in 1949. Modi said the Tripura royal family "acted with foresight and saved the country".
The Prime Minister returned to Delhi on a chartered aircraft from Agartala airport in the evening.
