Tripura Congress demands CM's resignation 

Agartala, Sep 15 : The Opposition Congress today demanded Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to relinquish his post for his alleged statement against Constitutional provisions and 'threatening' Tripura Civil Service (TCS) officers to comply with the political will of the state government. 

In a statement here Leader of the Opposition Ratan Lal Nath said Mr Sarkar had criticised the Central government in the ''most objectionable manner, which was a disrespect to the Constitution.'' Mr Sarkar had deplored the gradual dilution of constitutional provisions governing Centre-State relations and alleged of encroachment by the Centre on state's powers, while addressing the annual conference of TCS officers. 

The Opposition alleged that Mr Sarkar had ordered the administration to work according to the political will of the state government and not the Central government. 

''Our Constitution has demarcated the powers to be exercised by the States and Centre but over the past many years the powers of the states are being appropriated by Centre; this must stop and the federal spirit of our Constitution must be upheld in the interest of the country,'' Mr Sarkar reportedly said.  

He also pointed out that during the UPA's earlier stint the Left parties had ''kept the implementation of anti-people policies in check, but now the scenario has changed; we are not in a position to guide and control the government and they are freely pursuing policies inimical to the interests of the people.'' Mr Sarkar called upon the TCS officers to dedicate themselves to the service of the people keeping in mind the precedence of elected representatives at all levels of the administration.  

''My government is not fully satisfied with the work being done by officers though there are exceptions, but exceptions only bear out the general trend and rule; you must give top priority to implementing the policy decisions of the government,'' Mr Sarkar added.