BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Manik Saha, who hails from Tripura, will be the new chief minister of the state, replacing Biplab Deb who resigned after four years in office a few hours ago. Saha is also the incumbent Tripura BJP chief. On being asked why Deb was removed, a source in Tripura BJP said, “Most MLAs were dissatisfied with the way he was leading the state government. It was a one-man show.”
Saha will lead the BJP fight to retain the state in the assembly elections scheduled next year. Sirf News asked the source why Saha was picked as the successor of Deb. “He has a gentlemanly demeanour and has never been controversial or associated with any faction,” he said.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav congratulated Saha on being elected the leader of BJP legislative party. “I am sure with the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under your leadership, Tripura will scale new heights in terms of development,” he tweeted (edited).
Outgoing chief minister Biplab Deb congratulated Saha too. “Congratulations and best wishes to Manik Saha on being elected as the legislature party leader. I believe under PM Narendra Modi’s vision and leadership Tripura will prosper,” he tweeted (edited).
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, it is facing a challenge from the Trinamool Congress which had gained the third largest vote share in the civic polls held last year.
The central leadership of the BJP, following several meetings with Deb including those held in Delhi, felt that Tripura BJP needed a new face to lead the election campaign, insiders told Sirf News. No MLA being averse to Saha, he emerged as a unanimous candidate when his name was proposed, sources added.
In 2017, the BJP had defeated a seemingly unbeatable CPM government led by Manik Sarkar and then Biplab Deb was made the CM, now replaced by Manik Saha before the next election.
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