Biplab resigns as Tripura CM ahead of 2023 state election
Priyanka Deb Burman and Smriti Kak Ramachandran the BJP replaced the CM to stop the anti-incumbency. It will not affect anything in the state that has a 33% tribal population.”
At a hurriedly called press conference after submitting his resignation, Deb thanked the BJP central leadership for making him CM. “Being a chief minister, I tried to work for overall development of Tripura and to do justice to people here. Now, the party wants to strengthen the party organisation for the 2023 assembly polls. If there is a strong organisation, then our government will come (back to power). To keep BJP in power for long time, if a party activist, like me, works to strengthen the organisation, it will be helpful.”
The BJP legislative party met at the chief minister’s official residence and elected Saha as its new leader under supervision of central observer Bhupendra Yadav. Saha’s name was proposed by Deb, people aware of the matter said.
After the meeting, Saha said, “I was given responsibility of BJP state president. I worked... and now my name was proposed for leader of the legislative party and everyone supported. But I will continue to work as a karyakarta of the party.”
A senior BJP leader, quoting a party survey conducted last month, said Deb was found to be very unpopular, and that apart from growing dissent against him within the government and the party, there were also allegations of corruption against certain people in his office.
“On more than one occasion, legislators and other party members had complained to the central leadership about his (Deb’s) behaviour and they have been pushing for a change. The party did not want to go to polls with a divided house and spoil its chances,” a party functionary said.