Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Monday met BJP National President JP Nadda to discuss the party’s preparedness for the ensuing by-polls months before the 2023 assembly elections scheduled in February next year. Deb’s Delhi visit is also significant in a sense, he flew to the national capital canceling his scheduled programmes. According to officials, the Chief Minister will return to the state on Tuesday.
Deb, during his two day visit, also met BJP National General Secretary BL Santosh. Although senior leaders of the party are tight lipped to disclose anything regarding the meetings, party insiders secretly admitted that Deb went to Delhi to discuss the party’s roadmap for the polls.
“The names of the BJP candidates have been placed before the top party leaders. Earlier, Pradesh BJP president Dr Manik Saha constituted four teams entrusting responsibilities to coordinate for the by-polls. The list includes names of BJP ministers and top party functionaries”, said sources.
Sources said, issues of alliance with other regional parties also came up for discussion during the meeting. The BJP is likely to initiate talks with like minded regional parties to forge alliance before the assembly polls. Given the present political landscape of the state, TIPRA motha emerges as the strong contender for the saffron party’s junior ally in the next elections as IPFT reduces zero in the recently held TTAADC elections, source added.
“Our doors are open. But, before an electoral understanding some issues needed to be addressed”, said a senior indigenous leader.
