Congress Faces Questions Over "Save the Constitution" Campaign

Agartala, May 06, 2025, By Our Correspondent

Agartala: May 06: The Pradesh Congress's recent launch of the "Save the Constitution" campaign has sparked sharp criticism, particularly from the BJP and other political opponents. Detractors question the sincerity of Congress’s constitutional advocacy, citing its historical record regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Allegations include Congress’s failure to place Ambedkar’s portrait in Parliament during its tenure, attempts to undermine his electoral prospects, and a long delay in honoring him with the Bharat Ratna, which was finally conferred in 1990 under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

At a press conference held at the Pradesh BJP headquarters on Tuesday, State BJP President Rajib Bhattacharya raised further issues with Congress’s constitutional legacy. He questioned the imposition of President’s rule in Tripura before the 1993 elections, despite the presence of a coalition government both at the center and in the state, implying a breach of constitutional propriety. He also cited the alleged misuse of the National Security Act (NSA) to arrest a lawyer in 1993, calling it an abuse of power.

Bhattacharya went on to highlight the controversy surrounding the 1990 civil service examination in Tripura, which led to a legal dispute. According to him, the Guwahati High Court in 1996 found violations of Articles 316 and 319 of the Constitution.

The CPI(M) also came under fire, with Bhattacharya criticizing its handling of employment during its tenure. He referenced allegations from 1993 suggesting that jobs were reserved for returning political rivals—a directive reportedly overturned due to public backlash.

Bhattacharya further accused Congress of irregularities in employment, claiming 3,500 teachers were hired without formal selection, alongside questionable appointments in the Agartala Municipal Corporation and a jute mill.

These criticisms underscore the complex interplay between historical actions and current political narratives.