Only hours after Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb resigned. The BJP named Dr Manik Saha as his replacement, exactly a year before the state’s assembly elections. Mr Saha, a dentist by training, was elected to the Rajya Sabha last month and is also the BJP’s Tripura state president.
Mr Deb announced his resignation to Governor SN Arya on Saturday. Moreover, saying the party wanted him to “work to build the organisation.” After meeting with the Governor at the Raj Bhavan, he delivered the announcement.
“Party is above all. I am a loyal worker of the BJP. Hope I have done justice to the responsibilities that were given to me — whether it was BJP state president or Tripura Chief Minister. I have worked for the overall development of Tripura, and to ensure peace for the people of the state,” Mr Deb told reporters.
“To strengthen the base of BJP in the state, I need to work on the grassroots level in various sectors. I should work as a common Karyakarta (party worker) rather than being in the position of Chief Minister to form BJP government again in the coming Assembly elections,” he said.
Biplab Deb congratulated his successor on Twitter, saying that Tripura will develop under PM Modi’s “vision and leadership.”
“Congratulations and best wishes to @DrManikSaha2 ji on being elected as the legislature party leader. I believe under PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision and leadership Tripura will prosper,” he tweeted.
Congratulations and best wishes to @DrManikSaha2 ji on being elected as the legislature party leader.
I believe under PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision and leadership Tripura will prosper. pic.twitter.com/s0VF1FznWW
— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) May 14, 2022
Trinamool Congress, the BJP’s arch-rival in the state, issued a stinging attack on Mr Deb, claiming that even the BJP’s top brass are “fed up with his incompetence.” The Mamata Banerjee-led party has been working hard to gain a foothold in the Bengali-majority border state, which has resulted in regular conflicts with the ruling BJP.
On Thursday, Mr Deb travelled to New Delhi to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. And BJP President JP Nadda to discuss the party’s activities in the Northeastern state.
“The party wants me to work to strengthen the organisation,” said the outgoing leader.
Following accusations of infighting inside the BJP’s state unit, the resignation was announced.
