Tripura Assembly witnesses oppn walkout over Sarkar's absence

Tripura Assembly today witnessed heated debate over the absence of the leader of the opposition Manik Sarkar prompting a walkout by the entire opposition.

Shortly after question hour, BJP legislator Dilip Das raised the issue of Sarkar's absence in the important Budget session saying the newcomers could have learnt a lot from the former chief minister who had ruled the state for twenty years.

"Unfortunately, he did not turn up to the House. He entered the Assembly after playing of the national anthem yesterday," he said.

Veteran CPI(M) MLA Badal Chowdhury replied, "Manik Sarkar went to Panisagar in Unakoti district where a party leader Tapas Sutradhar was brutally killed by unknown assailants on Monday night."
Chowdhury said, "you people cant wipe out CPI(M) by branding it as anti-national. We are a political party and working for the people. Besides, the Leader of the Opposition is not bound to inform Speaker Rebati Mohan Das as he has gone there for a brief period."