Opposition bays for Sarkar's blood, seeks action for controversial remark

AGARTALA: The chorus against Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar for criticizing the country's foreign policy before an international delegation is growing louder with all opposition parties seeking action against him.
While Trinamool Congress has sought the intervention of the governor, BJP has taken up the matter in it's national executive council meeting at Kozhikode. Congress has raised the issue with the ministry of external affairs (MEA).The three parties have launched an agitation across the state accusing Sarkar and his party of being agents of Pakistan.
"Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Tripura CM Manik Sarkar have criticised India in the same tone. Both of them accused India of behaving like big brother with its neighbours and cautioned the Centre to be careful. This is not only shameful but a clear indication of active Pakistani agents in the Indian state administration," alleged Trinamool Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman.
He said Sarkar reiterated the same statement in the assembly and claimed that what he said in front of an international delegate regarding India's attitude towards its neighbours was his right. Even other CPM ministers and MLAs argued that criticising a central government policy can't be considered anti-national, he added. "The CM has to be booked under appropriate law and this government has to be sacked for its anti-national stand," said Roy Barman.
BJP state president Biplab Deb said the party national executive council has taken a serious view of Sarkar's statement and appropriate action will be taken against him. "India has strengthened its ties with its neighbours after the Modi government came to power. All the neighbouring countries have backed India against Pakistan. Only CPM's stand is reverse," Deb added.