By Firstdespatch Desk Jun 18, 2023
Agartala, June 18 (FD) Ashish Kumar Saha, a former MLA and senior leader of the Tripura chapter of the Indian National Congress, has been appointed as the new president of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC).
Saha, known for his close association with former minister and MLA Sudip Roy Barman, has succeeded Birajit Sinha, the outgoing Congress state chief and legislator.
After assuming office as the new Pradesh Congress president, Saha expressed his gratitude to National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for his appointment and extended thanks to Ajay Kumar, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge for Tripura, and Szarita Laitphlang, the AICC secretary in-charge. Saha highlighted the challenging political situation under the BJP regime, stating that opposition parties in Tripura are currently facing difficulties in carrying out their activities.
Saha condemned the state of democracy in Tripura, emphasizing the erosion of people's rights to free speech and personal liberties.
He pledged to work with all citizens, senior leaders, and activists of the Congress party to amplify the public voice and fulfill their aspirations in the future.
Regarding the Congress party's political strategy leading up to the upcoming Parliament elections next year, Saha affirmed that the party's relationship with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPIM] remains strong.
He called for unity among all opposition parties nationally to combat alleged attacks on the poor, polarization, and the increasing wealth gap.
Saha urged all opposition parties in Tripura to stand together against the BJP, emphasizing the need to restore democracy in the state.
However, Saha mentioned that the final decision regarding any future political alliances would be made by the party high command. He also stated that the Congress party in Tripura would undergo restructuring to establish a robust organizational structure. Saha assured party workers that an amicable environment would be created to uphold their dignity and allow them to work freely in strengthening the organization.
In the past, Ashish Kumar Saha had won three elections from the Town Bardowali assembly constituency in the outskirts of Agartala. He had switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and won his last election in 2018.
However, in 2022, along with former minister Sudip Roy Barman, he resigned from the BJP and rejoined the Congress, citing the BJP-led government's alleged anti-people policies.
In the recent general assembly elections, Saha contested against Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha from his home constituency but lost by a margin of 1,257 votes, following his defeat to the same opponent in a by-election the previous year.