AGARTALA, June 28 – CPI, a constituent of the ruling Left Front in Tripura, alleged that CPI-M cadres forced the party’s lone minister, Manindra Reang, to sign the resignation paper on Sunday in a bid to downsize the ministry. The CPI-M had decided to drop five of its ministers from the Cabinet and requested the CPI to drop Manindra Reang, Tribal Welfare Minister. But the CPI rejected the request arguing that Manindra was its lone representative in the Council of Ministers.
Prashanta Kapali, the state secretary of the CPI, told reporters that “Manindra had received a number of threats over phone that he would face dire consequences if he did not tender his resignation”. He alleged that at around 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, a few unidentified persons went to the minister’s quarter and took him to an unknown place. He said he had information that the minister was forced to sign in the resignation paper.
Kapali said, “We had clearly stated that we will not drop our lone minister Manindra Reang from the Cabinet because then the Left Front would lose its character. It is unfortunate and against the Left culture.” He said he had informed the party’s central leadership of the development. According to the 91st amendment to the Constitution, six ministers have to be dropped from Tripura’s 18-member Council of Ministers to arrive at a figure of 12 before July 7. Meanwhile, a government press release this evening said that resignations of six ministers had been forwarded to state Governor DN Sahay.