Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has formed a 25-member Political Affairs Committee for Tripura Congress, while TPCC demanded an impartial probe into a ₹16.38 crore bank fraud linked to AMC funds. Both moves mark significant political developments in Tripura.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday announced the formation of a new 25-member Political Affairs Committee (PAC) for the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), marking a significant development in the party’s organizational structure ahead of future political challenges in the state. The move comes at a time when the Tripura Congress is trying to strengthen its footing and assert itself as a key opposition force in the northeastern state.
Political Affairs Committee Announced
According to a statement released by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the PAC will function as the key policy-making and advisory body for the party’s Tripura unit. The AICC further mentioned that Congress central observer for Tripura, Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee.
TPCC President Asish Kumar Saha has been inducted as a member of the PAC along with three Congress MLAs – Sudip Roy Barman, Birajit Sinha, and Gopal Chandra Roy. Their inclusion reflects the party’s attempt to balance leadership responsibilities among both sitting legislators and veteran leaders.
The committee also features former Tripura Chief Minister Samir Ranjan Barman, along with several seasoned political figures and ex-MLAs such as Diba Chandra Hrangkhawl, Ashok Debbarma, Jyotirmoy Nath, and Manindra Reang. Veteran lawyer Pijush Kanti Biswas, along with two prominent women leaders Khumtia Tripura (Debbarma) and Sangita Das, have also been named in the committee, signaling the party’s effort to bring inclusivity and diverse perspectives into its policy-making process.
Additionally, all state-level heads of Congress’s frontal organizations will automatically serve as members of the PAC by virtue of their positions. This structural approach is expected to ensure coordination across all wings of the party in Tripura.
Strengthening the Party in Tripura
Political observers note that the formation of the PAC comes at a crucial juncture for the Congress in Tripura, as the party looks to regain lost ground in the state’s political landscape. With the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the influence of regional parties such as TIPRA Motha, the Congress has been attempting to rebuild its organizational base and reconnect with grassroots workers.
By bringing together a blend of experienced leaders and current legislators, the PAC is expected to play a central role in framing the party’s strategies, guiding electoral campaigns, and addressing local concerns. The presence of senior leaders like Samir Ranjan Barman alongside active MLAs underscores the party’s attempt to balance experience with active political engagement.
TPCC Raises Concern Over ₹16.38 Crore Bank Fraud
In a parallel development, the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee has called upon Chief Minister Manik Saha to ensure an impartial investigation into the massive ₹16.38 crore bank fraud involving the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC).
According to police reports, the fraud was executed using several cloned cheques, leading to unauthorized withdrawals amounting to ₹16.38 crore from AMC’s bank account. A four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by an Additional Superintendent of Police, has already been constituted to probe the incident.
Authorities confirmed that one cashier from the concerned bank branch has been arrested in connection with the scam. TPCC President Asish Kumar Saha, while addressing the media, emphasized that the matter should be investigated thoroughly and impartially, without political influence.
Saha further alleged that the fraud could not have occurred without the involvement of higher authorities in the bank, as the cheques worth ₹16.38 crore were cleared only after “proper verification of signatures.”
He also disclosed that the embezzled funds were initially disbursed into 78 different bank accounts, before being consolidated into just two accounts belonging to individuals residing in Delhi and Nagpur. This revelation has heightened concerns over the scale of the fraud and the possible involvement of a larger nexus.
Political Implications
The dual developments—the announcement of the PAC and the demand for accountability in the bank fraud case—highlight the Congress party’s attempt to position itself as both an organizationally revitalized and socially responsible opposition in Tripura.
| Also Read: Tripura Govt forms SIT to probe ₹16.38 crore AMC Bank fraud |
While the PAC aims to streamline the party’s functioning and strengthen its grassroots presence, the bank fraud issue gives the Congress an opportunity to corner the ruling government on governance and accountability.
As the state heads into a politically sensitive phase, these moves could prove decisive in shaping Congress’s relevance in Tripura’s dynamic political landscape.
