The Tripura Congress organized a ‘Save Constitution’ rally in Agartala on Monday, accusing the BJP-led central government of misusing central investigative agencies to target opposition leaders. The protest march drew hundreds of Congress workers and supporters, who held placards, shouted slogans, and called for the protection of constitutional values and democratic institutions.
The rally, part of a nationwide campaign launched by the Indian National Congress, is aimed at drawing attention to what the party describes as a “systematic assault on the Constitution, federalism, and democracy” by the current regime. The event gained significance in Tripura’s political landscape, where the Congress is trying to regain lost ground ahead of future elections.
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Congress Accuses BJP of Targeting Opposition Leaders
Addressing the gathering, senior Tripura Congress leaders accused the BJP of using agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department to harass and intimidate opposition voices. The party alleged that leaders who criticize the Modi government or speak up against corruption are being “framed” in fabricated cases, while BJP allies go untouched.
“The central agencies have turned into tools of political revenge. They are no longer independent institutions, but puppets in the hands of the BJP,” said Tripura Pradesh Congress President Asish Kumar Saha during the rally.
He further claimed that the Constitution is being ‘systematically dismantled’, with key provisions such as freedom of speech, the independence of the judiciary, and the autonomy of state governments being eroded under BJP rule.
Support for INDIA Alliance Echoed in Tripura
The rally also served as a platform to promote the broader agenda of the INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties aiming to challenge the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Saha emphasized that protecting democracy is not just the responsibility of one party, but a collective duty of all citizens and political forces.
“We are united under the INDIA banner to defend the soul of our Constitution. The fight is not just political—it is moral and constitutional,” he said, urging other regional parties in Tripura to join hands in this effort.
Public Response and Political Impact
The protest march witnessed active participation from students, women’s groups, and civil society organizations, who expressed concern over growing authoritarianism and shrinking space for dissent. Many participants carried copies of the Indian Constitution and shouted slogans like “Loktantra Bachao” (Save Democracy) and “Tanashahi Hatao” (Remove Dictatorship).
Though the BJP downplayed the rally, calling it an act of political desperation, local analysts believe the protest could help rejuvenate the Congress base in Tripura, especially among urban and educated voters. With the state set to play a key role in upcoming parliamentary elections, both national parties are ramping up their campaigns.
BJP Responds with Sharp Criticism
In response to the rally, Tripura BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee accused the Congress of hypocrisy, stating that the party has a long history of misusing central agencies during its own rule.
“It is ironic that Congress is now crying foul. The people of India have not forgotten the Emergency and the political witch-hunts conducted under Congress rule. The central agencies today are only doing their duty by investigating corruption, regardless of party affiliation,” Bhattacharjee said.
He added that the Congress rally is an attempt to divert attention from its lack of a concrete development agenda and poor electoral performance in Tripura.
The ‘Save Constitution’ rally by Tripura Congress marks a significant moment in the state’s political discourse, highlighting growing tensions between the opposition and the ruling BJP over the alleged misuse of central investigative bodies. While the political outcome of such rallies remains to be seen, the event has undoubtedly reignited debate around constitutional safeguards, democratic freedoms, and the role of institutions in India’s federal structure.
As the countdown to the 2024 general elections continues, such protests are likely to become more frequent and impactful, shaping public opinion in politically sensitive regions like Tripura.