Instability within BJP in Tripura deepens, CM seeks ‘people’s mandate’

AGARTALA:

The internal conflict within the BJP in Tripura deepened after a section of the state party leadership remains adamant in their demand to drop chief minister and party leader, Biplab Kumar Deb.

On the edge, Deb on Tuesday has sought ‘people’s mandate’ to remain as the chief minister of Tripura.

This is arguably the first time in the state that a chief minister is seeking people's mandate, not through an election, rather the reassurance of the mandate he got after the 2018 Assembly election.

Deb has invited people to Stable Ground in Agartala on December 13, to get their mandate on whether he should continue heading the BJP-IPFT government in the state.

A section of BJP functionaries and their supporters had, on Saturday, raised ‘Biplab Hotao, Tripura Bachao’ ( Expel Biplab, Save Tripura’) slogan at the State Guest House when BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh and newly appointed prabhari (in charge) of Tripura, Provari Binod Sonkar was taking stock of organisational activities.

“I am saddened by the slogan. My only fault, maybe I am committed for the development of the state; my time is capped at five years as an elected government. I am no government officer serving for thirty years. Friends, (Chanting Modi-mantra) I vow to work day and night together. People entrusted me the task by electing me; I would remember them forever," Deb said during his address to the media on Tuesday.

“Whether I continue or I am to go, it’s up to you; deliver your mandate. I will be at Stable Ground (Vivekananda Maidan) on Tuesday at 2 pm, and your word will be communicated to the high command,” he said.

Some BJP MLAs have reportedly been up-in-arms against the chief minister for quite some time now. A few have come out in the open to criticise him and, his way of leading the government.

(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)

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