Agartala, Aug 30: Former Tripura Chief Minister and West Tripura Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb received an enthusiastic welcome from BJP Karyakartas on his return to the state following his elevation as a national general secretary of the party.

Deb is part of the BJP’s newly constituted national office-bearers team under party president Nitin Nabin. His arrival at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala on Sunday was marked by a large gathering of party supporters, who later joined a felicitation programme organised by the Tripura Pradesh BJP at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan.

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, BJP state president Abhishek Debroy and other leaders were present in the felicitation programme.  

Addressing the gathering, Deb described Tripura as his “Karmabhumi” and said his association with the state and its people remained deeply rooted.

“I have never forgotten Tripura. Every party worker here is very close to my heart. The Prishtha Pramukhs, Shakti Kendra workers and the people of Tripura made Biplab Kumar Deb,” he said.

Reflecting on the BJP’s political journey in the state, Deb recalled party workers who were killed during the previous Left Front regime, naming Nishikanta Chakma, Gour Hari Molson and Shyam Hari Sharma among others.

He alleged that political violence had been a major feature of Tripura’s politics during the Left rule and said the BJP had lost 11 tribal workers during that period.

“After coming to power, we tried to extend support to their families, but some losses can never be compensated,” Deb said.

Deb calls for greater grassroots engagement:

The BJP leader also urged party workers to devote additional time to connecting directly with people at the grassroots.

Irrespective of their organisational position, he asked workers to spend an extra 30 minutes to one hour each day visiting at least five households in their respective areas.

Drawing from his own political experience, Deb said direct interaction with families could help resolve a large number of local problems.

“People in our state are very simple. They are capable of handling most of their own affairs. What they expect from a ruling party worker is a caring attitude,” he said.

‘Left has no political space left in Tripura’:

Speaking to reporters later, Deb asserted that the Left parties had lost their earlier political influence in Tripura, although he acknowledged the importance of a strong Opposition in a democracy.

“The Left has no space left in Tripura politics. At most, it can occupy the space of a strong Opposition, which is extremely important in a democratic system,” he said.

Deb also questioned the possibility of a Left revival in the state, arguing that issues such as development, employment and economic growth should form the core of any political agenda.

He claimed the CPI(M) had failed to present a compelling case for returning to power in Tripura.

BJP-Tipra Motha talks:

On the BJP’s dialogue with Tipra Motha, Deb later interacting with the media said the party leadership had assigned two leaders to initiate discussions with the regional party.

He said the progress and outcome of the talks would become clear after the two leaders submit their reports to the party high command.