Rajib Bhattacharjee

In a significant political upheaval, Tripura BJP legislator Tofazzal Hossain is under scrutiny following the leak of a contentious audio clip. The recording reportedly reveals him hurling insults and threats at a police officer, raising eyebrows about his alleged attempt to wield influence over law enforcement.

In the aftermath of the Tripura ADC election results, chaos erupted as over 1,000 BJP supporters abandoned their homes in Khowai and West Tripura, fearing violence reportedly orchestrated by TIPRA Motha. The turmoil saw homes, shops, and plantations come under attack, leading frightened residents to seek safety elsewhere.

In a dramatic turn of events on Saturday morning, BJP candidate Nirmal Debbarma found himself in a precarious situation as police intervened to evacuate him and his contingent of 100 supporters. This occurred after they were reportedly besieged by members of the opposition. The tension escalated when an altercation broke out at Debbarma's residence, allegedly instigated by Tipra Motha activists.

In Tripura, the ADC elections saw a remarkable 83% voter turnout, highlighting a keen public interest despite isolated incidents of unrest in the Sepahijala, Gomati, and West Tripura districts. Reports of bomb blasts and gunfire surfaced alongside claims of voter intimidation, causing tension in some areas.

The BJP fielded one of its state secretaries, Papiya Datta, against heavyweight former BJP minister in Biplab Deb's cabinet and Congress MLA Sudip Roybarman in Agartala constituency. The party had held back the nomination for Agartala even after announcing the candidates for 59 seats including five of its junior partner, IPFT, in two phases, according to sources. Former Chief Minister Biplab Deb had shown interest in contesting the Agartala seat but the party refused BJP sources said Deb was initially gunning for his previous seat, Banamalipur, but the state committee didn't give him the nod. He mobilised his followers and a few contractors who sent a representation seeking Deb's nomination under the leadership of Mandal President of Banamalipur, a CPM businessman. However, BJP member Dipak Kartar thereafter tried the seat for his wife, Niti Deb, from Banamalipur finally the party nominated BJP State President rajib bhattacharjee from Banamalipur on Saturday. Then, Deb expressed his willingness to contest against his former cabinet colleague Roybarman but the party turned down his request.

A day before his crucial visit to Tripura, BJP national president JP Nadda appointed veteran saffron leader rajib bhattacharjee as the party’s state president on Thursday.

The BJP national general secretary (organisation), BL Santhosh, reached Tripura on Friday on a two-day visit amid the growing dissidence in the party and continuous defections from it.

The opposition parties piled pressure on the ruling BJP in Tripura seeking the expulsion of its Bagbasa MLA Jadablal Nath from the assembly whose video went viral on social media when he was allegedly watching purported porn clips on a mobile phone during the deliberation in the house on March 28.

BJP national president J P Nadda arrived here on Sunday morning and held a series of meetings with party leaders before tuning in to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat programme from the state guest house. His visit comes close on the heels of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calling on Rajmata Bibhu Kumari Devi, mother of Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, whose TIPRA Motha rules the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council. Pradyot was earlier with Congress.

The ruling BJP on Tuesday declared its candidates for byelection to Dhanpur and Boxnagar assembly constituencies of Tripura’s Sepahijala district after a series of meetings among the leaders.

Former Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb on Monday filed his candidature for the byelection to the lone Rajya Sabha seat of the state, which fell vacant three months ago after sitting MP Manik Saha resigned and became CM.

Top BJP leaders led by CM Manik Saha attended a meeting on Sunday in New Delhi convened by Union home minister Amit Shah to resolve the factional feud in the state BJP and to formulate strategies for upcoming assembly elections.

The city wore a festive look on Sunday in view of the brief visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to kick off the campaign for the upcoming assembly poll scheduled in February next year.

Tripura BJP MLA Tafazzal Hossain publicly criticized former CM Biplab Kumar Deb and ex-Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik for alleged neglect and corruption. Hossain accused them of denying funds for a stadium gallery, contrasting their actions with state BJP president rajib bhattacharjee's support. Opposition MLA Sudip Roybarman characterized the incident as a symbolic end to the Biplab-Pratima era within the party.

rajib bhattacharjee, BJP state president of Tripura, was named the candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat, with the election scheduled for Sept 3. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar congratulated Bhattacharjee and thanked BJP Chief J P Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the nomination. Bhattacharjee has been active in politics since 1991, never switching parties despite various challenges.

The High Court of Tripura on Monday served a notice to the state government after admitting a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging non-action of police over the attacks on five media houses and ransacking several party offices of the opposition CPM on September 8.

As part of the preparation for the assembly election here in February next year, the ruling BJP on Saturday announced a 16-member poll management committee led by state party president rajib bhattacharjee.

The Left Front managed to rule Tripura for several years because of a “backdoor understanding” with Congress, the BJP has alleged.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday also thanked the people of the three northeast states, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya for placing trust in BJP, after the results of the 2023 assembly elections were announced.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Tripura on Thursday as part of the poll preparation for the upcoming Loksabha elections. The visit aims to boost the BJP's election machinery in the state and consolidate support. Meetings have been ongoing since Tuesday to finalize Shah's program, including a rally in tribal areas. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, along with state BJP Chief rajib bhattacharjee and other leaders, discussed plans during the ongoing assembly session. The visit is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the party's presence in Tripura ahead of the polls.

The main opposition party in Tripura, Tipra Motha, led by Pradyot Deb Barma, is set to join the BJP-led government before the Lok Sabha election. With 13 MLAs in the assembly, they are likely to receive two positions, according to a senior BJP leader. The development comes days after Pradyot Deb Barma's party signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre.