Former Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb receives a rousing welcome in Agartala after becoming BJP national general secretary, while urging workers to strengthen grassroots outreach and visiting five households daily. Deb also questions the prospects of a Left revival in Tripura.
Former Tripura Chief Minister and incumbent West Tripura Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb received a rousing welcome in his home state on Sunday after being appointed a national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with thousands of party workers and supporters gathering to felicitate him in Agartala.
Deb, who has emerged as a prominent organisational face of the BJP beyond Tripura, was inducted into the party’s new national office-bearers team constituted under newly appointed BJP national president Nitin Nabin. His appointment was widely described by Tripura BJP leaders as a significant recognition of his political and organisational experience and an achievement for the state unit.
Earlier in the day, Deb was warmly received at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala. BJP Tripura Pradesh president Abhishek Debroy, Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, ministers Tinku Roy and Sushanta Chowdhury, along with a large number of party workers and supporters, were present at the airport to welcome him.
A felicitation and greetings programme was later organised at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala. Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, BJP state president Abhishek Debroy, Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, ministers, legislators, senior party leaders and a large gathering of BJP workers attended the programme.
Deb’s elevation to the BJP’s national leadership assumes particular significance in Tripura, where he played a central role in building the party’s organisation and leading it to power after ending the 25-year-long Left Front rule. Under his leadership, the BJP formed its first government in the state.
Apart from his political role in Tripura, Deb has also been entrusted with organisational responsibilities in several election-bound states, including Haryana, West Bengal and Delhi. His performance in these organisational assignments is understood to have strengthened his standing within the party’s national leadership.
Addressing the gathering, Deb dedicated his latest achievement to the people of Tripura and BJP workers who, according to him, fought a prolonged political battle to establish the party in the state. Describing Tripura as his “Karmabhumi”, he said the state and its party workers continued to hold a special place in his heart.
Deb recalled the contribution of grassroots workers, including Prishtha Pramukhs and Shakti Kendra workers, saying their efforts and the support of the people helped shape his political journey.
He also urged BJP workers to devote additional time to direct interaction with people. Calling for stronger grassroots outreach, Deb asked every party worker, irrespective of position, to spend an additional 30 minutes to one hour each day visiting five households in their respective areas.
According to Deb, regular interaction with households could help address a large number of public grievances. He said people in Tripura were generally capable of managing their own affairs but expected ruling party workers to demonstrate a caring and responsive attitude.
Emphasising humility and discipline, Deb told workers that arrogance could become their biggest enemy. He urged them to remain accessible and respectful in their localities and said an ideal party worker should be someone whom people admire for humble behaviour and concern for others.
Referring to his own political journey from Jamjuri, Deb said individuals from ordinary backgrounds could achieve major political goals through passion, hope and determination.
Deb also spoke about the BJP’s political success in West Bengal and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah with the party’s electoral advances. He sought to reassure party workers amid discussions over future political developments, saying the party’s central leadership would take decisions on major issues.
During his address, Deb also remembered BJP workers who were killed during the Left rule in Tripura. He referred to workers including Nishikanta Chakma, Gour Hari Molson and Shyam Hari Sharma and alleged that political violence had once been an integral part of state politics. He said the BJP had lost 11 tribal workers during the period of Left rule and acknowledged that some losses could never be compensated.
Speaking to the media later, Deb strongly dismissed the possibility of a major revival of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Tripura. He said the Left had little political space in the state and could, at most, emerge as a strong opposition, which he described as necessary in a democratic system.
Deb questioned what he described as the lack of a compelling development agenda in the Left’s politics. He argued that issues such as development, employment and economic growth should remain central to any political programme and claimed that the Left’s current political messaging did not provide a convincing reason for voters to return it to power.
On his personal relationship with Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya and recent developments involving the two allies, Deb said his personal relationship would not come in the way of BJP’s interests. He clarified that the interests of the BJP remained his priority and that he could speak for statements made by BJP leaders but not for the positions of Tipra Motha leaders and MLAs.
Deb further said the BJP high command had entrusted two leaders with the responsibility of holding discussions with Tipra Motha amid the recent political developments. He said the status of the talks would become clearer after the leaders submitted their reports to the party leadership.
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Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha also congratulated Deb on his appointment and extended his best wishes for the new national responsibility. Addressing the programme, Saha said the BJP was a party of workers whose primary objective was to serve the people.
The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of organisational strengthening at the grassroots level and ensuring that the benefits of government initiatives reach the last person. He said party workers were continuing their collective efforts in line with the BJP’s policies, ideology, discipline and organisational principles.
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The felicitation programme ended with senior leaders, elected representatives and party workers extending their congratulations to Deb and expressing confidence that he would contribute to strengthening the BJP’s organisational network at the national level while continuing to maintain his political connection with Tripura.
