Agartala, November 24, 2025: The long-standing factional tensions within the ruling BJP in Tripura have once again spilled into the open this time in the Kamalasagar Assembly constituency, after an unexpected confrontation during a local football tournament inauguration in Matinagar on Sunday.

Locals informed, Kamalasagar MLA Antara Deb Sarkar arrived at the venue visibly upset after learning that her photograph was missing from the promotional flex banners for the tournament. The banners prominently displayed the images of the Chief Minister, the Sports Minister, the state BJP president, and TIDC Chairman and emerging youth leader Nabadal Banik, but excluded the constituency MLA.

Taking the stage, a furious Antara Deb Sarkar questioned the organisers in front of the audience. In a heated exchange captured on video, she demanded to know, “Who is Nabadal Banik here? Why is the Sepahijala Sabhadhipati leaving? Are you leading everything today? You organised a match without the MLA’s photo—Is the MLA dead here?”

The video went viral within hours, triggering renewed embarrassment for the ruling party and drawing attention to the widening internal rift.

Party insiders say the discord dates back to the period before the 2023 Assembly elections. The BJP’s decision to field Antara Deb Sarkar from Kamalasagar—a constituency long considered a CPI(M) stronghold—was reportedly met with resistance from some local leaders. Despite this, she secured a decisive victory and gradually strengthened her footing among voters.

However, tensions deepened as youth leader Nabadal Banik, backed by former Mandal president Subir Chowdhury, began expanding his influence across several pockets of Kamalasagar. His active involvement in organisational and social initiatives is believed to have unsettled the MLA, who increasingly felt overshadowed.

The rivalry surfaced last year as well, when Banik organised a football tournament in Matinagar, prompting the MLA to host a separate event in Madhupur. Sunday’s confrontation is now seen as the latest chapter in this ongoing power tussle within the constituency’s BJP unit.

Party sources fear the episode may further intensify internal friction at a time when the organisation is preparing for upcoming civic and local-body activities.