Opposition CPI (M) strongly condemned former Chief Minister and incumbent Lok Sabha Member Biplab Kumar Deb and claimed that the former CM made an “irresponsible” statement over the management of donated gold ornaments at the Tripura Sundari Temple.

 Biplab Kumar Deb recently in his speech during the inauguration of another temple, made a startling allegation that the CPI (M) had in the past sold out the gold jewellery of the Tripura Sundari Temple and replaced them with fakes.

While gracing a programme at a newly built temple in Mohanpur area on Thursday, Biplab Kumar Deb lashed out at the CPI (M) for being averse to religious causes. At one point, he blamed CPI (M) for confiscating gold ornaments of the Tripura Sundari Temple located in Udaipur in Gomati district and selling them.

 “I discovered the great steal after becoming Chief Minister in 2018. We found the donation box full of fake ornaments as originals were taken away to sell out in the market,” Deb alleged.

The statement of the former Chief Minister was reported in the local media.

The CPI (M) has criticised the charge and termed it an irresponsible rhetoric. “If the incumbent government has guts, let there be an inquiry,” former Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly and senior CPI (M) leader Pabitra Kar said.

The CPI (M) has threatened to take legal action against MP Biplab Kumar Deb if he fails to prove his allegations over stolen golden ornaments of the Mata Tripura Sundari temple when they were in power. On Saturday CPI (M) through a press statement described the allegation as ‘totally false and baseless’. ‘Prove the allegations within a week or we will take legal step’, the statement said.

The statement added that Biplab Kumar Deb was Chief Minister for four years and after that also three more years had passed but no FIR was registered in this regard till now. ‘The sole intention for such baseless allegations is to blame the CPI (M) and claimed that Deb used a religious place to blame the CPI (M).

It may be recalled here that King Dhanya Manikya made the temple in 1500 AD and is attributed as one of the 51st Hindu Shakti Pithas in the Indian subcontinent. It has been a center of religious faith for over 525 years.

The temple complex is currently being renovated under the PRASAD scheme of the Central government. Inauguration of the expanded and refurbished temple complex is expected to take place by May.