By Firstdespatch Desk May 22, 2023
Agartala, May 22 (FD) Simmering tension and rift among the top leaders of the state continue to haunt the ruling BJP in Tripura even as the party leaders say all is well.
‘Karyakarini Baithak’ or the executive committee meeting of the ruling party was held at Charilam assembly constituency in presence of party’s seniormost leaders including chief minister Dr Manik Saha, state president Rajeev Bhattacharjee and former deputy chief Minister Jishnu Debbarma, Pratima Bhowmik and others.
However, the party has denied any rift within the party following former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb's allegation of 'outsider' interference in it.
BJP state unit president Rajib Bhattacharjee today told reporters that there was no rift in the party and if former Chief Minister, Biplab Deb has any grievance in the handling of the party, he would take his advice.
The statement came hours after Deb made his allegation of 'outsider' interference in the ruling party which, he claimed, is hurting the organisation.
""Biplab da and Manik da (Chief Minister Manik Saha) are our leaders ... There is no trouble in the party. But if it is there we will try to remove it," Bhattcharjee said to questions by reporters of a probable rift within the saffron party.
"Biplab da is our leader and the ex chief minister of Tripura. He is now the 'prabhari' (in-charge) of Haryana. I saw him venting his anger before the media. We will hold talks to know the reason for his feelings. We want to work together as a family," he added.
The allegation by Deb, a Rajya Sabha member of the BJP, at a press meeting came just a day before the crucial BJP Tripura state executive meeting on Monday to chalk out the party's strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
He said "outsiders" were interfering in the BJP's organisational affairs and weakening it. Deb said he has apprised the party's leadership of it.
However, Deb flew to Delhi on Sunday night itself after his brief press conference at his official residence here.
It is understood that the central leadership will now move into damage control exercise. FD JK