Tripura’s Election machinery all set for Poll on Feb 18, Sunday. Election campaigning ended on Feb 16 4pm, general public particularly elderly people heaved a sigh of relief as political parties seized Agartala’s every inch for campaigning and hurling loud noises to impress(?) voters.

I was in Agartala till the last day of campaigning i.e. Feb 16 to witness the political drama of various parties, one thing I observed that ear deafening loudspeakers disturbed public but all political parties least bothered of human sufferings.

Election commission and District administration’s utter failure to control noise pollution in the heart of Agartala was felt in every household – due to deafening sound, I couldn’t even sit in a residence near Ramkrishna Mission even though Manik Sarkar’s 4pm rally at Netaji School ground supposed to impress the local gatherings at NSV ground – but hundreds of loudspeakers tied to poles in half km area tortured the local population.

In my opinion, Election Commission shouldn’t allow uncontrolled loudspeaker installations beyond the venue – also EC must limit certain decibel sound level so that common public are not tortured.

Indian Democracy yet to fix its faulty system where Politcal parties can disturb peace to score narrow gains at the cost of public.

Coming to 2018 Assembly Election, I was not impressed by BJP’s line up of candidates except a dozen good faces but ruling CPI-M’s candidate line-ups are more pathetic as public would hate to call them as their representatives.

As I am living since 20 years in USA and travelled around the world extensively, I would point Indian Democracy’s biggest flaw is allowing a certain personality to stay in power endlessly till he expires. This is sharp contrast with USA where any person can occupy public office for the maximum tenure of 8 years. President in USA is equivalent to Prime Minister in India , as well as a USA State Governor is equivalent to a Chief Minister in terms of executive power. From Bill Clinton to Obama, many famous political figures bid goodbye to politics after 8 years of executive power. All western countries follow these type of term limitations but Indian politicians power hungry vision failed to follow western footsteps.

In India, a Lalu or Rabri with their cowdung brains can occupy Chief Minster’s seat for the rest of their life. This defeats the sole purpose of democracy as these cunning politicians convert democracy into autocracy to breed political dynasties.

Tripura’s Chief Minister Manik Sarkar is no exception – due to power hunger and visionless politics over 2 decades,  Manik Sarkar administration failed miserably to develop Tripura’s economy or providing employment, basic healthcare, pure drinking water, quality education to lakhs of people. In my multiple prior interactions with Manik Sarkar, one thing I realized that Chief Minister doesn’t understand the basic Economics & the role of Capital investments to improve State’s economy.  With a 1950 era blind vision of ‘Anti-Capitalism ’Communist politics, which finally resulted in 8 lakhs unemployment.

Let's not discuss further about rest of CPI-M cabinet Ministers – most of them wouldn’t pass a Higher Secondary School exam – forget knowledge of Economics or devising policies of State’s economic future. Its hightime for Manik Sarkar to end his hunger & addiction for Chief Minister’s seat – better people inside CPI-M should be given chance to fill State CPI-M captain’s role.

In my analysis, Manik Sarkar or average Communist dictators mentality remains focused on painting a rosy picture for public consumption – for example North Korea’s communist dictator Kim Jong created massive buildings supposedly for IT industries but fact is that all those buildings remained empty.

Similarly, Manik Sarkar proudly inaugurated IT Hub in Agartala but inside building – not even a single software company or any employments so far. But CM's dictator ego satisfied.

Personally, I would advise Manik Sarkar to retire from active politics and say good-bye to power hungry addiction - otherwise days are not far when like his own Political Godfather & Ex-CM Nripen Chakraborty, - Manik Sarkar might be strolling on Agartala streets haplessly. 

As long as CPI-M is in power, no doubt that Tripura will remain underdeveloped – then people miseries will be multiplied, lakhs of new unemployment will add to existing 8 lakhs list. Also 25 years lust in power created enormous corruption and sycophants in every level on State Govt.

Coming to opposition BJP – saffron party heavily marketing Narendra Modi’s vision of strong India and Modi-Economics to uplift – which I feel Tripura should give it a try.

However BJP should sail straight with clean and non-corrupt elements if they win election – otherwise people may lose their faith within no time.

BJP already did few blunders like handing over poll campaign to Sarada Chit Fund tainted Himanta Biswa or admitting equally suspicious Sudip Barman’s coterie, also aligning with seperatist IPFT - all these may prove costly in Assembly Poll outcome

Sunil Deodhar and Biplab deb worked relentlessly to increase BJP’s voter base, so State might benefit economically if BJP wins election. However both Biplab and Deodhar need to tone down their Hinduvta plank, rather stay focused on CPI-M misdeeds. 

Tripura certainly needs a break from uninterrupted Communist rule – 25 years Communist tyranny turned Tripura a graveyard in every sector, peoples misery never ending, mass deprivation everywhere – even Tripuraites like me will never get a lifetime chance to create IT or Advanced industries as ‘Matric fail’ or ‘Higher Secondary’ pass clowns donned role of Ministers, samples like Manik Dey kind of Ministers will steer Tripura's economic distress to point of no return.

So, listen to your heart and vote for the best !!! 

Writer is Editor, TRIPURAINFOWAY.com, also a Global Network Engineering Architect based in New York  with 20+ yrs experience in Internetworking, Network Security Industry and worked at Bank of America, General Electric, Cisco Systems, Bank of New York, Merrill Lynch, NYC Govt,  NEC, Hewlett Packard.