Agartala, Oct. 25 -- Tripura Food Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Sunday dismissed opposition allegations regarding the state government's free distribution of semolina (suji), flour and sugar during the festive season, accusing Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders of "hypocrisy" and fabricating claims to mislead the public.

Addressing the media, Chowdhury said, "Yesterday we saw that some political figures, particularly from the CPI(M), began claiming that suji, maida, and sugar are not available anywhere in the ration shops. About 10 to 15 people holding responsible positions misled the public. They claimed they spoke with the minister and that the minister could not give an answer, whereas no one had even spoken to me on...