Agartala, December 15, 2025: In a clear show of unity ahead of the crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections scheduled for April next year, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday sought to send a strong political message to its ally Tipra Motha by projecting cohesion between Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb.

Addressing a party programme at Mohanpur in West Tripura, Dr. Saha underlined the BJP’s tradition of discipline and collective acceptance of leadership decisions. “In the BJP, the decision regarding the Chief Minister is taken by the Prime Minister. We have no role other than to accept it and move forward together,” he said during the rally.

Recalling the transition of leadership in May 2022, Dr. Saha noted that it was Biplab Kumar Deb who had proposed his name to the central leadership, paving the way for him to assume office after Deb’s resignation on May 14, 2022. “We have no hand in deciding who becomes the Chief Minister. Even my own family members were hesitant when my name appeared on television,” he added.

The Chief Minister also praised Deb’s contribution to the BJP’s rise in Tripura, crediting him for inducting Saha into the party in 2016 and entrusting him with key organisational responsibilities, including state BJP president, Pristha Pramukh in-charge, membership drive head and Rajya Sabha MP.

Stressing his long-standing association with Deb, Dr. Saha remarked, “I am a doctor, not an actor,” and said he has maintained cordial relations with the former Chief Minister since joining the BJP.

BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee was also present and addressed the gathering.