Two new ministers from Tipra-Motha gets portfolios, Animesh given charges of Forest

After eight days of oath two Tipra-Motha MLAs as cabinet minister and minister of state, the state government on Friday allocates portfolios to Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma.

A notification issued by the General Administration (Confidential and Cabinet) of Tripura government on Friday allocated the portfolio to new inducted ministers in the state cabinet and as per notification, former opposition leader and newly inducted cabinet minister Animesh Debbarma has given the charges of Forest, General Administration (Printing and Stationery), Science, Technology and Environment departments, while Brishaketu Debbarma will take over the charges of Industries and Commerce department as Minister of State.

The Departments allotted to Animesh Debbarma were earlier held by the Chief Minister while cabinet minister Santana Chakma now holds the Industries and Commerce Department.

Earlier, on March 7th last after year-long hectic parlays for induction into state cabinet and bargaining over political demands, finally Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu administered the oath of office and secrecy to the two new ministers Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma at a simple ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan.

Within six days after signing of a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government, the opposition and the tribal-based Tipra-Motha decided to join the BJP-led coalition government adding a new twist to Tripura politics.

On March 2, the Tipra-Motha signed a tripartite agreement with the Center and the Tripura government 2 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and others.

According to the agreement, a Joint Working Group, Committee would be formed to work out and implement the mutually agreed issues in a time-bound manner to ensure an 'honourable' solution to tribals' demands.

Motha legislator Animesh Debbarma, who was the opposition leader before becoming a cabinet minister, and lawyer turned politician Brishaketu Debbarma, took oath as minister of state and both are the new entrants in the council of ministers in Tripura.

Before taking the oath, Animesh Debbarma resigned from the post of Opposition Leader in the state assembly.

Since the BJP-led alliance assumed charge for the second consecutive term on March 8 last year, three ministerial berths are lying vacant as the total strength of the cabinet is 12. After the March 7th expansion of the cabinet, one ministerial berth will remain vacant.

Another tribal-based party, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), is also an ally of the BJP-led government, and its lone MLA Shukla Charan Noatia is a Cabinet minister in charge of Cooperation, Tribal Welfare (TRP and PTG) and Welfare of Minorities Departments.