Tripura CPM sees ploy behind American festival

Agartala, May 2 (IANS) The US consulate holding an educational festival without the Tripura government's permission has alarmed the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

"Without taking prior approval, how can the central government allow the US consulate to organise such a festival in Agartala? What is the reason behind holding the festival? Any conspiracy," Tripura CPI-M state secretary Bijon Dhar asked while speaking to reporters here Wednesday.

"Our party is the No. 1 enemy of the US and that imperialist country is our No. 1 rival too," he said.

The US consulate from Kolkata April 24 organised a 'Taste of America Festival' here. This was the first such event in the northeast.

The one-day event the party is miffed about highlighted services offered by the consulate for people from the northeast, including opportunities to study in America. The event also had 'Spelling Bee' competition, a quiz competition, debates, collage-making, musical performance and film show.

Tripura goes to polls next year and Dhar thinks the event was an attempt to sway votes.

"In West Bengal before last year's assembly polls, US conspired against the Left Front," he said.

At the festival, Jeffrey K. Reneau, director of the American Center, a part of the consulate, spoke on higher education in the US and submitting visa applications.

Dhar along with CPI-M spokesman Gautam Das also said that the Opposition Congress and the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura were trying to revive insurgency by assisting in the recruitment of tribal youth into separatist outfits.

"Some Congress and INPT leaders are meeting surrendered militants and recruiting new members for for the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT)," Dhar said.