March 1, 2003

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

On Left Front Victory In Tripura

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) warmly  congratulates the people of Tripura for electing the CPI(M) and the Left Front for a third successive term in office.  Their massive endorsement of the Left Front government's record and performance has led to the Front retaining its two-third majority. 

The CPI(M) has firmly stood for the preservation of the unity of the tribal-non tribal people in the face of continuous attacks by  separatist and extremist forces.  It is this resolute stand, for which the Party had paid a heavy cost in terms of lives lost, that has earned the appreciation of the  people of all communities in this sensitive border state.

In Tripura, like in West Bengal, the "anti-incumbency" factor does not operate since the Left Front government headed by Manik Sarkar had  established its credentials as a government in the service of the people.

The Congress which had entered into an unprincipled and opportunist alliance with the extremist-backed INPT has been badly defeated. The people have rejected this unscrupulous politics, whose sole motive was to dislodge the Left Front government by any means.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) conveys its warm greetings to the CPI(M) state unit and the Left Front  for this massive victory.  It pays its homage to the 32 Party members and supporters who were killed  during the election campaign for  standing by the cause of the Party.