Tripura’s young voters are not happy about unemployment and lack of development in the state.
Agartala: The sprawling campus of the Tripura Central University in Agartala wore a deserted look Friday. With the state going to polls Sunday, most students left for their respective hometowns and the varsity suspended classes so they can cast their votes.
The state, after all, is known for its high polling percentage, nearly 92 per cent in the 2013 assembly election.
The remaining students, meanwhile, moved towards the auditorium to watch the webcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with students on how to handle exam stress.
These students, in their early twenties, comprise the generation of voters in Tripura who were not even born when the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government assumed power 25 years ago. This government is all these voters have known in the state. This is also the generation with fast rising aspirations and which would determine the electoral future of political parties in the state, making it crucial for them to remain relevant to this constituency.
‘We would like to give someone else a chance’
Ujjwal Sarkar, 22, is a student of MSc in forestry and biodiversity. As he headed to watch Modi’s programme, he said he was looking forward to a “change” in the state.
“When I was born, Manik Sarkar was the chief minister here. I am now 22 years old and he is still the king. A change is much needed,” said Ujjwal, a resident of Udaipur town in Gomati district.
“I don’t disagree with communism but I don’t think the CPI(M) is delivering anymore. The BJP can provide us an alternative,” he added. Ujjwal had voted for the CPI(M) in 2013.
His friend Prasenjit Debnath, from Teliamua, was of the view that “if someone remains in power for too long, it becomes a problem.”
‘Left is still relevant’
Not everyone, especially among the youth, however, is a BJP fan.
“CPI(M) has ensured peace and safety. Manik Sarkar is a very decent politician. I want the government to continue. How do we know what BJP will do here,” asked Sanchita Deb, who is doing her MA in political science.
Some, while supporting the BJP this time, are not averse to voting for the CPI(M) in the next election if the BJP does not perform.
Salman Deb Barman of Simna is doing his MA in sociology and is excited about voting Sunday. He said while he wants “poribartan” (change) this time and hence hopes BJP wins, he isn’t against voting for CPI(M) in future.
‘Jobs, better education facilities are needed’
Jobs and better education are what most of the youth in Tripura stress on while talking about election.
“Our state is so underdeveloped compared to other states. We have no jobs here; everyone has to go out to work. We need better education facilities,” said Tumpa Saha of Agartala. She is a student of MA (political science) and wants to support BJP in this election.
Anup Kumar Bhattacharjee, an MA history student, said it’s important for “Tripura to be on par with other states”. “Why just jobs, we need all-round development. As a young person, I don’t want a government that is stuck to theory like CPI(M) is to Marxism,” he said.
‘Congress is not an option’
In this clamour for ‘change’, Congress, which so far had been the principal opposition party in the state, did not find any mention though.
“I had voted for the Congress last time but what has it even done? It is no alternative. Its central leadership is useless, as against how dynamic Modi is,” said MSc student Narayan Das, who is from South Tripura.
“See, it’s simple. Social media plays a big role for us and BJP has mastered that. The Congress campaign is no match to BJP’s,” said Debabrata Saha, a political science student.