New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed heartfelt wishes to Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on his birthday, commending his initiatives to enhance the state's development and uplift the youth's living standards.

On the social media platform ‘X’, the Prime Minister remarked, “Warm birthday wishes to Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha Ji. He is making significant strides to advance Tripura’s development and better the lives of the youth in our state. I pray for his long and healthy life in service of the public.”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also sent her regards to Dr. Saha on this special day.

In her message on ‘X’, she stated, “Happy birthday to the esteemed Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr. Manik Saha Ji. Under your guidance, Tripura is progressing towards stability, growth, and governance that prioritizes the people. May the blessings of Maa Tripura Sundari continue to inspire your devoted service to the residents of the state. Wishing you good health and ongoing success in your public endeavors.”

Before gaining recognition as Tripura’s first maxillofacial surgeon, Manik Saha was known in Agartala as the son of Makhan Lal Saha, a prominent entrepreneur who established the city’s first luxury cinema in the 1970s. The Saha family, who migrated from Brahmanbaria district in Bangladesh, engaged in various business activities across Tripura and Kolkata.

Unlike his siblings, Dr. Saha opted against joining the family business, instead pursuing a medical career by earning his degree from a dental institution in Patna and completing his postgraduate education in Lucknow. His professional achievements earned him respect in medical circles long before he ventured into politics.

Dr. Saha’s political journey began with the Congress, although he was not deeply involved in the party’s organizational tasks or events. Consequently, he is not viewed as a typical Congress defector, unlike numerous others who later joined the BJP in Tripura.

His political aspirations took form in 2016 when the BJP leadership intensified efforts to dismantle the CPI(M)-led Left Front government that had been in power for over twenty years. Dr. Saha was among the early Congress leaders to switch to the BJP during that period, aiding the party’s campaign to end prolonged communist governance in the state.

Shortly after joining the BJP, he was given the role of overseeing ‘prishta pramukhs’, grassroots workers who interact directly with the electorate. During this phase, he collaborated closely with then-state observer Sunil Deodhar and forged a strong partnership with former BJP state president Biplab Kumar Deb, who later became Chief Minister following the party’s landmark victory in the 2018 Assembly elections.

In 2020, when Deb was requested to resign as state BJP president, he reportedly endorsed Dr. Saha as his successor. The party’s central leadership accepted this suggestion. Although Dr. Saha took on the role, Deb maintained considerable influence within the party and chose to avoid conflict or confusion. This strategy proved beneficial, as the BJP nominated him for Tripura’s sole Rajya Sabha seat in 2022.

On May 14, 2022, the BJP unexpectedly asked Deb to resign and dispatched central observers to Agartala to oversee Dr. Saha’s selection as the new leader of the legislature party. Dr. Saha was sworn in as Chief Minister the following day. Although Deb was later accommodated with a Rajya Sabha seat, the party did not publicly disclose the reasons for his ousting from the leadership position.

Having never contested a general election or held a government role prior to becoming Chief Minister, Dr. Saha faced numerous challenges initially, particularly due to Deb’s lingering influence within the administration. Nonetheless, his composed demeanor and prudent approach allowed him to navigate these challenges and gradually enhance the party’s public perception.

In the nine months leading to the February Assembly elections, Dr. Saha concentrated on executing essential schemes and programs aimed at resolving public issues. His dedication was rewarded when the BJP, alongside its ally the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura, secured 33 seats in the 60-member Assembly—two above the majority threshold—allowing Dr. Saha, now 70, to commence his second term as Chief Minister.