AGARTALA, Aug 15 (TIWN): Tripura's former chief minister Manik Sarkar on Friday slammed the BJP and the BJP-led central government over SIR while addressing the media on the occasion of 79th Independence Day.

Sarkar said, “What the Supreme Court stated yesterday, it’s positive, and now the ECI has been directed to cite reasons why the 65 lakhs of people were eliminated from the voter list along with their specific addresses.”

“Just ahead of the election, such a circular and process (SIR) has generated confusion and suspicions among the people. Actually, the BJP is scared and horrified with the free and fair election concept,” he added.

“Day by day, the BJP is distancing itself from the common people, and they know if a free and fair election happens, they will lose. That’s why ahead of (Bihar) election, they are doing this (SIR),” added Sarkar.

“This is not a sign of strength. It is a sign of the BJP’s weakness,” Sarkar told the media.