Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday, 29 May declared that the CPI (M) has become “politically bankrupt” and vowed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would wrest all 10 Assembly seats currently held by the Left party in the 60-member Tripura Assembly. Saha made the remarks while addressing the reception ceremony held to formally welcome newly appointed state BJP President Abhishek Debroy in Agartala.

The Challenge to CPI(M)

Speaking in combative terms, Saha alleged that the CPI (M) has been actively attempting to destabilise the BJP through “misleading narratives on social media and YouTube.” He drew a sharp contrast between his party and the opposition, saying, “We must remember that this is not the Congress or the Trinamool Congress; this is the Bharatiya Janata Party.”

The Chief Minister further alleged that the Left party’s legacy in Tripura includes the creation of “drug mafias,” claiming those individuals are “now in handcuffs.” He argued that since the CPI (M) has declined at the national level, the effort to eliminate its remaining presence in Tripura must be intensified. “They cannot be kept in any condition. They are harmful to the country and the state. Misleading people and telling lies has become the religion of this party. That is why we have to snatch their 10 seats,” he said.

Organisational Push and Booth-Level Strengthening

Saha stressed that the BJP must be reinforced at the organisational and booth levels to sustain its dominance in the state. He called on party workers to align their efforts with public aspirations and underscored that discipline is central to political success. “If we want to move in the right direction in life, there must be discipline. Karyakartas will have to work in line with the hopes and aspirations of the people. Party leaders and booth presidents must be strengthened further,” he said.

He urged newly appointed President Abhishek Debroy to work at the grassroots level, asserting that only such ground-up engagement would ensure a BJP government not just in 2028 but in subsequent elections as well.

Development Milestones Cited

The Chief Minister highlighted several achievements of the BJP-led state government. He stated that Tripura now ranks second among Northeastern states in terms of GSDP and per capita income, and that the NITI Aayog has designated Tripura a “front-runner state.” He also noted that the state has emerged as the third-most literate state in India, after Goa and Mizoram.

On healthcare, Saha said the number of MBBS seats in the state has increased significantly, postgraduate medical seats have risen, and a Dental College has been established. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed satisfaction with the reform initiatives undertaken in Tripura.

Key Attendees

The function was attended by newly appointed Tripura BJP President Abhishek Debroy, former state BJP president and Member of Parliament Rajib Bhattacharya, BJP Prabhari (observer) Rajdeep Roy, along with ministers, MLAs, public representatives, and senior party leaders.

With the next Tripura Assembly election due in 2028, Friday’s event signals that the BJP intends to begin its electoral consolidation well in advance, targeting the Left’s remaining legislative foothold.