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Armed with an impeccably clean image and outstanding track record in governance, Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar exudes a quiet and unshakable confidence over the outcome of the upcoming assembly elections. The past decade (1998-2008) in post-merger Tripura’s history has truly been an eventful decade, a decade dedicated to massive development and new hopes. With the best possible infrastructure for higher education Tripura also lays firm claim now to a list of firsts such as rural electrification, road connectivity, poverty alleviation, expansion in school education, health services and host of others in entire Northeast. Insurgency, bane of the state over the past three decades, is currently at its lowest ebb. And the high priest who made the historic turn-around possible from the depth of despondency during the closing days of the bygone century is chief minister Manik Sarkar. A quietly confident mass leader who personifies progress and development with a human face is now busy spearheading the left front’s campaign for reelection. Nevertheless, he took time off his gruelling daily schedule to share his thoughts and ideas in the following
exclusive interview with
tripurainfo.com.
Question: The assembly poll is round the corner and Congress have declared 'Mission-2008' to unseat the left front through election. What is your reaction to this?
Answer: I would not make any comment on Congress's mission in regard to the upcoming polls. But what I can assert in unequivocal terms is that the mission of the people in this state is to ensure the return of the left front in power with more seats and more votes. My assertion is based on my personal experience. The people of the state are unable to think that Congress in its present form will come to power or should come to power by winning election.
Question: What will be the main issues in the upcoming assembly polls and how they will shape voters psyche?
Answer: There is no doubt about the fact that the main issue in the upcoming election will be development or progress. We languished in backwardness for a long time, but now we are keen to move ahead. There is a great opportunity, which we want to utilise in the interest of the state's people. Quite a lot has already been done and a lot more will be accomplished in the coming days. My belief is that the people now do not think of anything beyond development and continuity and that is going to decisively impact the voters’ psyche.
Question: What is your impression about the new and younger generation of voters?
Answer: The new generation voters are much more realistic than their older counterparts. They do not confine themselves to this state alone but look for higher education and job opportunities elsewhere in the country and even abroad , capitalising on the quality primary education imparted here. Most of them now lead quite affluent lives by working in leading private companies including multinationals. We also attach top priority to build up and strengthen the foundation of the education they acquire here. What we have been doing and delivering for the development of the state is there for all to see. So why should not we secure support from the new generation voters on our achievements as also on our positive commitments for the future?
Question: The next polls will come off in the backdrop of a major decline in insurgency level. Do you still think that the insurgent outfits will try to disrupt polls and how well prepared is the state police to cope with any such eventuality?
Answer: The election is knocking on the door and naturally the insurgents will try to create trouble as they have always done on such occasions over the past two and half decades. They will certainly try but police is also well prepared to cope with any eventuality. As you say, insurgency in this state has considerably declined-in fact, the military backbone of the banned outfits has been broken- but it is yet to be wiped out. In fact there is an undeclared consensus over the fact that insurgency in Tripura is at a very low ebb now and it is admitted by the prime minister and home minister of the country as well as by the senior officials of the union home ministry. The people of the state are also well aware of the realities at the grass root level. But we also keep our options open on deterrent action so that the insurgents cannot regroup and launch fresh strikes.
Question: There is a general consensus that insurgent outfits are not as strong as they were because of surrender and desertion. Nevertheless, before all elections parties like INPT raise the issue of political solution to insurgency. How would you react to this?
Answer: You had better ask leaders of the INPT what they precisely mean by political solution to insurgency problem. My considered view is that those who indulge in bloodshed on the demand for an illusory 'free Tripura' are politically ill-motivated and keen to divide the state and its people. We know who all are behind this. But what we fail to make out is how a party like Congress lends its support to such fissiparous demands instead of raising slogans against them. We leftists have been trying to seek a durable solution to the insurgency problem
on the basis of a holistic approach which envisages all round economic development of the tribal community , a continuing awareness programme and fulfilment of their socio-economic and political aspirations like autonomous functioning of the district council. That our approach has borne fruit is already evident from the fast-increasing number of surrenders. Many more are preparing to join the mainstream of life while recruitment of new youths to the outfits has virtually come to a stop.
Question: Your decade long tenure as chief minister has witnessed major initiatives for economic development in Tripura. Among the projects implemented, which one would you identify as your government's greatest achievement ?
Answer: You just cannot single out a project among so many implemented over a long period. The fact of the matter, which everyone admits, is that we have achieved a lot in framing and implementing development projects and schemes over the past years. From optimum utilization of human resource to creating better human resources, implementing separate development packages for minorities, achieving self-sufficiency in food production, creating employment opportunities-we are giving top priorities to these sectors and more. Besides, considerable success has been achieved in creating better infrastructure and in securing private investments. The condition is now ideal for private investments to flow in and as a result a number of leading national companies and banks now operate in Tripura. In fact, the sectors, which require priority treatment, have received so and this is the reason why we have already secured foreign investments in bamboo, rubber, timber forestry etc. The fact, however, is undeniable that it is not feasible to do everything at one and the same time but our effort is on . If you ask me whether I am satisfied with the works done, my reply would be there is no scope for complacency as a lot more remain to be done. We are yet to have railway head at Agartala but the opposition Congress is silent over the issue. What I find most unfortunate and regrettable is that during their visits to Delhi a section of Congress leaders try to persuade union ministers not to sanction funds for the state.
Question: Despite your clean personal image corruption has emerged as a major issue of opposition concern in Tripura. What steps have been taken to eradicate this menace?
Answer: Congress is at liberty to raise any issue of their choice. But my answer to your query is that whenever we receive reports of corruption we make a point of initiating disciplinary measures because our government is transparent and responsive. The number of employees suspended or dismissed and officers proceeded against will bear out my contention; before making allegation any individual or party should remember that we have introduced self-audit- that is, a separate audit wing has been launched in the administration to check corruption as well as to ensure utilization of public fund for public welfare. The Congress leaders should recall the dark days of their rule in coalition with TUJS (1988-93) when corruption ruled roost at the highest level. Can they cite a single instance with concrete evidence to show that there is corruption in high places during the left front rule. Their senior party leaders at the Centre and highest officials of all India services openly testify to the transparency in the administration here and the fact that corruption at the lower level of the administration is negligible and promptly proceeded against. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others. But that happens because, I think, Congress is issueless in this election and the people of the state will take care of that.
Question: During the past three and half years the Congress led UPA government in Centre has often deviated from the common minimum programme agreed upon earlier. As a politburo member do you still think that left front should continue extending support to this government, specially in the context of major differences over the Indo-US nuclear deal?
Answer: First and foremost, we are not against nuclear power projects per se but consent of compliance with the conditionalities of the American Hyde Act while signing the nuclear deal will critically compromise independence of our foreign policy and even national sovereignty. It will also seriously jeopardize our national security. The basic point is that USA is keen to have India as ‘junior strategic partner’ but our position is that it should never happen unless it is proved beyond any reasonable doubt that such a partnership will be compatible with our national interests. The stand we have adopted over this issue keeps in view the future security of the nation; we can not preside over the liquidation of national interests. If this leads to a change of government in Centre, so be it. As it is, the UPA government has considerably deviated from the stipulations made in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) ; we have never said support will be withdrawn on this ground . But we can not compromise on the nuclear deal issue because it involves the future of the country.
Question: What is your message to the electorate in Tripura in the context of the upcoming assembly polls and what will be your priorities if you are reelected as chief minister?
Answer: I have no personal message to communicate but I feel that the message of the people is that the left front must be elected for the sixth time. This is urgently needed to maintain the continuity in the process of development. As regards priorities, I can say that greater emphasis will be laid on creating employment opportunities. There will be major expansion of facilities for modern vocational and technical education. Higher education of the highest quality will be given top priority and an all-round attempt will be made to further improve the standard of living of people. Above all, all mofussil towns and even the state capital Agartala will be given a new shape and look in keeping with modern trends and tastes. But certainly there are many other areas which figure in our list of priorities but how can I mention all of them in the course of my answer to your question.
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