Centre's ruthless authoritarian regime worse than 'emergency': CPI (M)

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) launched a scathing attack at the Centre over the row surrounding Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's speech, saying that Centre is imposing ruthless authoritarian regime which is worse than 'emergency'.

CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury slammed the government after Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar alleged that Doordarshan and All India Radio refused to air his Independence Day speech and asked him to 'reshape' it.

Yechury further appealed to all non BJP state governments to come together to resist the attack by the Centre, else Central-state relations and federalism will come under severe threat.

"The Vijaydashmi speech of RSS leader is shown live on Doordarshan. On that there is no objection. He is not an elected member, does not hold an elected office and not answerable to the people of India but his speech was nationally telecasted," he said.

Yechury also appealed to all non BJP state governments to come together to resist the partisan approach of the Centre else the Central-state relations and federalism will come under severe threat.

Accusing the ruling dispensation of converting secular democratic republic of India into their version of 'intolerant Hindutva Rashtra', he said, "When they make falsehood attacks on CPI (M) that press conference is shown live nationally. It means only one point of view will be shown to the people that will be decided by the BJP. This is blatant partisan misuse of state machinery for furthering the RSS's objectives."

He further said the Centre is running ruthless campaign of propagating the views of RSS.

Asserting that the head of the governments of each state have the right to speak, he said, "If there is anything objectionable in their speech they are accountable for it in the public forum and in floor of the Assembly."

National broadcaster Doordarshan earlier in the day refuted allegations of intentionally blacking out the Independence Day speech of Tripura Chief Minister and said that the reports are 'totally incorrect'

"On August 15 2017, Doordarshan gave a wide coverage to the Chief Minister's Independence Day programme and telecast reports running to 29 minutes and 45 seconds. Out of which the Chief Minister's speech coverage was for 12 minutes," the letter read.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday alleged that Doordarshan and All India Radio refused to broadcast his customary Independence Day speech and asked him to rewrite and rerecord it.

As per the media reports, the Chief Minister's Office was informed via a letter that his speech would not be broadcast unless he "reshaped it".