Left Front only way forward: Manik Sarkar

Guwahati: Manik Sarkar, chief minister of Tripura, the country’s lone Left-ruled state, launched a marathon campaign in Assam on Sunday for Left Front candidates.
Known for his unassuming and simple ways, Sarkar travelled to address rallies by train at a time when other political heavyweights are jetsetting across constituencies to campaign.
The CPM politburo member addressed three successive election rallies at Bijni, Sorbhog and Barpeta Road in lower Assam, giving a clarion call to the people to reject ‘corrupt’ Congress and the unholy alliance of the ‘communal’ BJP, AGP and BPF in the Assam election.
Terming the alliance a ‘coalition without resemblance of ideologies’, Sarkar said, “Corrupt politicians from Congress are now BJP leaders. How can one expect a change in governance from such leaders?”
Sarkar accused the RSS of ‘dictating terms’ to BJP and expressed concern over the imposition of restrictions on minorities after the saffron party came to power at the Centre.
“Despite bountiful natural and human resources in the state, problems remain unresolved. Congress has ruled for 15 years. People are frustrated with its corrupt rule. At the same time, BJP has intruded into the state’s politics, posing a threat to the religious and linguistic diversity. At such a crucial juncture, the people will have to vote for the victory of the Left Front, the only alternative for expediting pro-people development and ensuring communal harmony,” Sarkar said.