Manik Saha, a dentist & BJP state president replaces Biplab Deb as Tripura CM
In a surprise move, the BJP made Rajya Sabha MP Manik Saha, the new Chief Minister of Tripura, who succeeds Biplab Kumar Deb, who resigned earlier in the day on Saturday (May 14).
Saha, the BJP’s state president, who was a dentist by profession, was elected the legislature party leader at a meeting at the CM’s official residence soon after a crestfallen Deb tendered his resignation to governor SN Arya.
However, in-fighting within the party unit reared its head as Deb proposed the 69-year-old Saha’s name in the meeting. Minister Ram Prasad Paul protested, which led to a scuffle among MLAs. Paul, who had wanted deputy CM Jishnu Dev Varma, a member of the erstwhile Tripura royal family, to bag the top post, also broke a few chairs in the meeting.
The situation was however brought under control. Senior BJP leaders Bhupender Yadav and Vinod Tawde were observers for the election of the legislature party leader.
Also read: Manik Saha to be Tripura CM after Biplab Kumar Deb resigns
Being elected as Legislative Party Leader met the Hon’ble Governor at Raj Bhavan and submitted the claim to form the government with the letter of support from my party legislatures. pic.twitter.com/74GMKTv69H
— Dr Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) May 14, 2022
Who is Manik Saha?
The new CM Saha told reporters that he was a common worker of the party and will continue to be so. Further, he explained that with the upcoming 2023 elections, the party wanted a responsible organiser to take charge of the affairs here. “Because, a government can only be formed if the organisation is strong,” he said, explaining the party’s decision to give him organisational responsibilities.
Manik Saha, who quit the Congress and joined the BJP in 2016, became the president of BJP Tripura in 2020. He was credited for the BJP’s victory in all thirteen civic bodies in the polls held in November 2021 in Tripura.
Saha is also the President of Tripura Cricket Association. Manik Saha does not belong to any camp within the BJP and is considered neutral, as per party sources, said reports.
Congratulations and best wishes to @DrManikSaha2 ji on being elected as the legislature party leader.
I believe under PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision and leadership Tripura will prosper. pic.twitter.com/s0VF1FznWW
— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) May 14, 2022
Meanwhile, Deb, ex-CM of Tripura congratulated his successor. He wrote, “Congratulations and best wishes to Manik Saha ji on being elected as the legislature party leader. I believe under PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision and leadership, Tripura will prosper.”
After resigning from the top post, Deb told reporters that the party is above all and added that he was a loyal worker of the BJP. “I hope I have done justice to the responsibilities that were given to me – whether it was as BJP state president or as Tripura chief minister. I have worked for the overall development of Tripura, and to ensure peace for the people of the state,” Deb said.
Deb was appointed the CM after the BJP stormed to power in 2018, ending 25 years of Left Front rule in the north-eastern state. This rejig in the ranks of the Tripura BJP is being done with an eye on the 2023 assembly elections.
Also read: On his way out, Tripura CM leaves a legacy of troubles for successor
