BJP govt will never support demand for 'Greater Tipraland', CM Dr Saha

Newly elected BJP-IPFT government will never support the demand of ‘Tipraland’ or ‘Greater Tipraland’, said Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha.

Speaking with media persons on Thursday noon at his official residence in Agartala a day after the high-level meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, Dr Saha said that they had detailed discussion over the welfare of tribals and to finalise the strategies how to uplift the socio-economic conditions of indigenous people of the state.

“Our victory was possible because of the slew of welfare schemes we implemented for the benefit of people; we were more or less sure that we would win the election and this finally came with the blessings of people,” said Dr Saha. On the issue of post-poll violence, he said that in many cases the violence was being instigated by the opposition parties but he has already instructed the DGP Amitava Ranjan to take strong police action against all offenders regardless of political affiliations. He also appealed to all opposition parties and to help in restoring peace and normalcy in the state.

Replying to queries Dr Saha announced that he has held a meeting of the state cabinet on Thursday and that senior BJP MLA from Panisagar constituency Binoy Bhusan Das will act as the ‘Protem speaker’ before a new speaker is elected. “These formalities will be done away with very soon and the allocation of portfolios to the new ministers will also be done very soon,” said the chief minister. Of the three existing vacancies in the council of ministers Dr Saha said that these vacancies have been kept but they will be filled up soon.

The chief minister reiterated that tribal welfare will be a priority sector for the BJP-IPFT government. Dr Saha said the BJP-IPFT government will work on the vision document unveiled by the party's national president before the 2023 Assembly elections. Asked about the party's prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the chief minister claimed the BJP will perform better not only in Tripura but also in the entire Northeast.

"We will get more seats in the next general elections than what was the party's tally in the 2019 elections in the Northeast", he said.

He also said that the portfolios of the new ministers will be distributed shortly.