Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha rejects confusion campaign over pending Village Council polls, clarifies Supreme Court has issued no directive on holding elections with ADC polls, and announces upcoming Hindi conference with Amit Shah’s expected presence.
In a strong rebuttal to what he termed a “confusion campaign,” Manik Saha on Thursday clarified the status of the long-pending Village Council (VC) elections in Tripura, asserting that the matter remains under judicial consideration and no final directive has been issued by the Supreme Court of India.
Addressing reporters, Dr. Saha dismissed claims circulating in political circles and on social media that the VC elections would be conducted simultaneously with the upcoming elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). He clarified that the apex court has merely sought the state government’s response regarding the feasibility of holding both elections together, but has not passed any order mandating such a course of action.
“The Court has asked for our views on feasibility. It has not given any directive to conduct the Village Council elections alongside the ADC polls,” the Chief Minister emphasized, underscoring that speculation suggesting otherwise is misleading and politically motivated.
Without directly naming any individual, Dr. Saha appeared to respond to recent remarks by Pradyot Kishore Deb Barma, whose social media posts had indicated that simultaneous polls were imminent. The Chief Minister described such statements as “unnecessary and incorrect explanations,” warning that they risk creating confusion among voters and stakeholders.
Village Council elections in Tripura have remained pending since 2016, a delay that has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including Left formations and regional groups. Dr. Saha, however, rejected allegations of government inaction. He stated that the reasons for the delay are well known to all concerned parties and reiterated that the government has neither shown negligence nor reluctance in resolving the issue.
“The matter is before the judiciary. We respect the judicial process and will act in accordance with the Supreme Court’s final decision,” he said, reinforcing the administration’s position that political commentary cannot override legal procedures.
The Chief Minister’s intervention comes amid heightened political debate over the timing of the polls. Opposition leaders have been pressing for clarity, arguing that prolonged delays undermine grassroots democratic institutions. The government, on its part, maintains that adherence to constitutional and judicial frameworks remains paramount.
Observers believe Dr. Saha’s remarks are aimed at reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency while distancing the administration from speculative narratives. By emphasizing that the issue rests entirely with the judiciary, the Chief Minister sought to project stability and procedural integrity.
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In a separate development, Dr. Saha announced that Tripura will soon host a major Hindi conference, adding a national dimension to the state’s event calendar. He revealed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to attend the conference, a move that could further highlight Tripura’s growing engagement with national initiatives.
As political discourse intensifies ahead of the ADC elections, the Chief Minister’s statements signal a clear message: decisions regarding Village Council polls will be guided strictly by the Supreme Court’s final ruling, not by speculation or partisan narratives.
