Agartala, Nov 12 :Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday said the controversy surrounding alleged controversial remarks by Boxanagar MLA Tafajjal Hossain should be considered settled as the legislator had already apologised, adding that necessary steps had been taken to prevent a recurrence.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the BJP's door-to-door campaign ahead of the November 27 municipal elections, Saha said he had personally discussed the issue with Hossain on Wednesday and advised him to exercise restraint while making public statements.
"I have seen that he has already apologised. Therefore, there is little scope for further controversy on the issue. The concerned legislator and his party will take whatever steps are necessary," the chief minister said.
He emphasised that public representatives must be careful about their choice of words to avoid creating misunderstandings or hurting people's sentiments.
Asked whether the matter had been communicated to the Union Home Ministry, Saha said he was not aware of any such development. However, he maintained that the state government had taken necessary steps and held discussions with the stakeholders concerned.
The MLA's alleged remarks had triggered criticism from opposition parties and tribal organisations, leading to political reactions across the state.
Turning to the upcoming civic elections, Saha said he was actively participating in the BJP's grassroots campaign and interacting with residents to understand their concerns.
He said he was personally overseeing booth-level campaigning in Wards 16 and 17 of his Town Bardowali Assembly constituency.
"The BJP works among people throughout the year and not merely during elections. Public service is the party's guiding principle," he said.
Claiming that the BJP enjoyed considerable public support in Tripura, Saha attributed it to the party's development initiatives and welfare programmes.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, the chief minister alleged that democratic rights had suffered and law-and-order conditions had deteriorated during previous regimes.
He urged voters not to allow what he described as the failures of earlier governments to recur, claiming that even young voters were aware of the opposition's record.
The municipal elections are scheduled to be held on November 27 across the state, with the BJP stepping up its door-to-door outreach to consolidate support ahead of the polls.
