Tripura CM Manik Saha will expand his cabinet on July 3, with BJP MLA Kishore Barman likely to be inducted. The move fills the last ministerial vacancy and reshapes Tripura’s political dynamics amid the BJP-IPFT-TMP alliance. Catch the latest developments in Tripura politics.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha is all set to expand his council of ministers on July 3, marking a significant political development in the northeastern state. Sources within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) confirmed on Wednesday that preparations are underway for the much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle.
Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new minister during a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan. The expansion comes over a year after the current BJP-led government assumed power for a second consecutive term in March 2023.
Kishor Barman Likely to Join Cabinet
One name currently making the rounds as a frontrunner for the vacant ministerial berth is Kishor Barman, a BJP MLA from the Nalchar constituency in Sepahijala district. Barman was elected during the 2023 Assembly elections and has been an active legislator within the party. If inducted, Barman would fill the lone ministerial vacancy that has remained unoccupied since the formation of the new government last year.
As per constitutional provisions, the Tripura council of ministers can have a maximum of 12 members, including the Chief Minister. Currently, there are 11 ministers in the cabinet, leaving one seat open for induction. Sources indicate that at least five BJP MLAs are lobbying for the berth, but Barman appears to have gained an edge.
Coalition Dynamics and Political Shifts
The upcoming cabinet expansion comes in the backdrop of evolving political alliances and power-sharing dynamics in the state. The BJP-IPFT (Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura) coalition returned to power in the 2023 Assembly elections, winning 33 out of 60 seats.
In a major political shift, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), which contested independently and emerged as the second-largest party with 13 seats, later joined the ruling alliance. Led by former royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, the TMP signed a historic tripartite agreement with the Centre and the state government in March 2023. Following this development, two TMP MLAs — Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma — were inducted into the council of ministers, reshaping the state’s political landscape.
Currently, the IPFT is represented in the cabinet by Sukla Charan Noatia, maintaining its presence in the ruling alliance. The inclusion of TMP ministers has significantly altered Tripura’s political arithmetic, especially in the tribal regions, where the TMP has gained considerable influence.
TMP’s Meteoric Rise
The rise of the Tipra Motha Party has been one of the most defining political stories in Tripura’s recent history. Formed in 2021, the TMP quickly gained traction by securing control of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which covers nearly two-thirds of the state’s territory and houses over 12 lakh people, 84% of whom are tribals.
Their performance in the 2023 Assembly elections was noteworthy, winning 13 out of the 42 seats they contested, outpacing both the CPI-M and Congress. The CPI-M-led Left Front secured 11 seats, while the Congress managed only three. The Left and Congress had a seat-sharing pact for the elections but were unable to mount a strong challenge to the BJP-TMP-IPFT combine.
What to Expect from the Expansion
With growing political complexity in Tripura, the upcoming cabinet expansion is being closely watched. The inclusion of a new minister will not only complete the 12-member quota but may also reflect the BJP’s broader strategy to balance representation, consolidate tribal support, and reward loyalty ahead of future political battles.
| Also Read: Tripura to become medical hub, announces CM Manik Saha |
If Kishore Barman’s induction is confirmed, it will also signal the BJP’s intent to strengthen its roots in Sepahijala district and among the constituencies represented by relatively new legislators. The expansion is expected to realign political priorities and may also set the tone for governance in the run-up to the 2026 local body and 2028 Assembly elections.
As Tripura continues to navigate a shifting political landscape, all eyes are now on July 3, when the state’s political stage will see a fresh script unfold at the Raj Bhavan.
