Tripura BJP MLAs camping in Delhi, want 'dictator' Biplab Deb removed

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb is reportedly facing dissent from a section of BJP MLAs, with at least seven of them camping in Delhi to meet the national leadership of the party and demand his removal. According to the lawmakers, led by Sudip Roy Barman, Deb is dictatorial, inexperience and unpopular, reported Indian Express on Sunday (October 11).

The MLAs are claiming that they have support of a total of nine BJP legislators among 36 of the saffron party in the 60-member House. It may be noted the Chief Minister Deb-led BJP government also enjoys the support of eight IPFT lawmakers.

Besides Barman, Sushanta Choudhary, Ashish Saha, Ashish Das, Diwa Chandra Rankhal, Burb Mohan Tripura, Parimal Deb Barma and Ram Prasad Pal are the ones camping in Delhi. Birendra Kishore Deb Burnam and Biplab Ghosh are also allegedly supporting them.

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The ruling BJP in Tripura has, however, asserted there’s no threat to the Deb government. State BJP chief Manik Saha has said “seven or eights MLAs cannot topple the government”, according to the report. Saha said he has not heard the dissenting MLAs’ complaints.

BJP’s general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh, has reportedly informed Barman, Deb is unlikely to be replaced. Deb, the report added, enjoys the confidence of the Prime Minister.

It said the rebel MLAs are now seeking to meet BJP chief JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah. They are also seeking a meeting with PM Modi. The rebels say a leadership change is necessary if the party wants to stay in power for a longer term in the state.

Calling it a dictatorial rule in Tripura, Choudhary said Deb does not trust his MLAs and that he has retained dozens of portfolios with him. “From the rickshaw puller to vegetable/fish vendors to industrialists, everyone in the state resents him,” he was quoted as saying.