People won’t allow CPM a ‘lateral entry’ to power in Tripura: CM Saha, MP Deb

Agartala, Aug 30 (AHN) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Sunday separately said that the people of the state would not allow the CPI (M) to make a “lateral entry” to power, accusing the Left party of having “ruined” the state during its 35 years of governance.

Saha was speaking at an event organised by the BJP to felicitate Lok Sabha member Biplab Kumar Deb on his appointment as the party’s National General Secretary.

The Chief Minister said that the Communists were waiting for an opportunity to make a “lateral entry” to power, anticipating the collapse of the BJP-led government, but asserted that such a possibility would never arise. “We want a constructive Opposition in the state, but it seems they have failed to deliver,” Saha said. He said it was a matter of great pride for the people of Tripura that a BJP leader from the state had been appointed the party’s national General Secretary, a position that people in the state could hardly have imagined in the past.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done a lot for our state. Former Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma was made the Governor of Telangana for the first time from Tripura, and now he is serving as the Governor of Maharashtra. Now, Biplab Kumar Deb has been appointed the BJP’s National General Secretary,” the Chief Minister said.

Lauding Deb’s leadership, Saha said that he had successfully led the BJP to a historic victory in the 2018 Assembly elections, which was once considered “impossible” by many political observers. The Chief Minister said that the BJP is essentially a party of its workers and cadres, with its primary objective being to serve the people.

“The main goal of this party is to work for the people. In this direction, all workers function while adhering to the party’s policies, ideals and discipline. “Alongside strengthening our organisational base down to the grassroots level, our united efforts continue unabated to ensure that the benefits of various government initiatives reach the last person,” said Saha, former state BJP president.

Deb, in his speech, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for elevating him from an ordinary party worker to the Chief Minister of Tripura and subsequently appointing him as the BJP’s National General Secretary. He said that the major political change in Tripura would not have been possible without the guidance and support of PM Modi and HM Shah.

Deb also emphasised the need for BJP leaders and workers to maintain regular and close contact with the people at the grassroots level. “Ensure that a leader visits at least five households a day alongside his or her day-to-day work. It will help the party win and retain the confidence of the people,” he said.

The former Chief Minister also asserted that there is currently no internal feud or factionalism within the BJP in Tripura. “Earlier, disunity among political parties helped the Left parties remain in power for 35 years. There is no reason for the CPI (M) to come back to power again,” Deb said.

He said that the people of Tripura had witnessed a major political transformation after the BJP came to power in 2018 and would not allow any attempt to reverse the development process initiated by the party-led government. “So long as Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, there will be no problem in ensuring development and creating employment opportunities in Tripura as well as in the country,” Deb said.

The BJP leaders said that the party would continue to strengthen its organisational structure at all levels and work to take various government welfare and development initiatives to the people across the state.