Manik Saha to be new Tripura CM, replaces Biplab Deb

Manik Saha, who quit the Congress and joined the BJP in 2016, was made the party’s state president in 2020. He had replaced Biplab Kumar Deb who had led the saffron party to a phenomenal victory in the 2018 Assembly elections ending a 25-year-old Communist rule.

Bhupender Yadav, Vinod Tawde were named as observers for election of BJP legislature party leader in Tripura after Biplab Kumar Deb’s resignation.

Deb became the chief minister of the state after the BJP won the 2018 Tripura polls, ending the 25-year-long rule of the Left Front government. “Party is above all. I am a loyal worker of the BJP. I 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.

“Being a chief minister, I tried to work for the overall development of Tripura and to do justice to people in the state. Now the BJP wants to strengthen the party organisation for the 2023 Tripura assembly polls. If there is strong organisation, then the party will be voted to power. To keep BJP in power for a long time, if a party activist, like me, works to strengthen the organisation, it will be helpful,” Deb said soon after putting in his papers.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to face a tough challenge from Trinamool Congress, which defeated the BJP in the 2021 polls. The elections to the 60-member Tripura Assembly will be held next year. The BJP had come to power in 2018 by ending the 25-year-long rule of CPM-led Left Front government in the state. This time- BJP is facing a challenge from the Trinamool Congress which had gained the third largest vote share in the civic polls held last year.