Political rivalry between ruling BJP and Opposition CPM in Tripura takes an ugly and violent turn, forcing the latter to seek Prime Minister Modi’s intervention. On Thursday last CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury shot off a letter to Modi complaining of a ‘pre-planned” attack by ‘mobs of BJP men’ with the connivance of the State government a day earlier.

The clashes between party workers left 10 persons injured, two CPM party offices gutted, few others vandalized and vehicles burnt. CPM’s state headquarters in Agartala was worst-hit among other district committee offices damaged or burnt down and ‘houses of many party leaders and activists were attacked, ransacked or set on fire.’ Even newspaper offices were not spared. ‘Daily Desharkatha’, CPM mouthpiece, and Pratibadi Kalam were vandalised. Importantly, police confirmed most of the reports of arson, but the big question is where will it end.

Using state power to suppress dissent is all too well-known. The police, present at many of the sites was a silent bystander and some CRPF jawans, present in front of the state committee office was withdrawn an hour before the attack began. Denying charges, BJP accuses the CPM cadre of fuelling trouble and instigating violence for the past few days. Sadly, in this blame game, it is democracy that suffers. But does anyone care?  

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