Appointment brings internal rifts to fore

Priyanka Deb Barman

AGARTALA: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’S attempt at a course correction in Tripura by replacing Biplab Kumar Deb with Manik Saha as chief minister less than a year before assembly polls in 2023 may have created rifts within the party, people aware of the development said on Sunday.

On Saturday, within hours of Deb’s resignation and the election of Saha as legislative party leader, cooperative minister Ramprasad Paul was seen shouting and hurling a chair at the party’s senior leaders in the party office, saying that he would not continue to work.

Paul took a U-turn on Sunday, saying it was an emotional outburst. “The BJP is a democratic party. Everything happens in a disciplined manner. I am here to work for the party, “he said. On Sunday, both Paul and deputy chief minister Jishnu Dev Varma came to Raj Bhawan after Saha’s swearing-in ceremony was over, saying their delay didn’t have any special significance.

Jishnu Dev Varma and Paul were seen as potential candidates for the chief minister’s post, according to a section of party leaders. Some BJP MLAS were also unhappy that Saha, a Rajya Sabha MP, was chosen for the top post instead of someone from among the legislators.

“We are very attached to Biplab Deb ji. But we have to abide by our party’s decision. We as legislators will continue to do our jobs, and we will surely win in the 2023 assembly polls,” BJP’S chief whip Kalyani Roy said on Sunday.

New chief minister Saha, known to be a close aide of Deb, joined the BJP in 2015.

“The BJP believes in development, development and development. As a chief minister, my primary job is to continue developmental activities done by our former chief minister. I shall do whatever responsibilities the central leadership gives me, “Saha said at his first media briefing as chief minister.

After resigning from his post, Deb said he will focus on strengthening the party’s organization to ensure BJP’S return in the 2023 assembly polls.