Why Biplab Kumar Deb may not be Tripura CM after December 13

AGARTALA: After chants of "Biplab Hatao BJP Bachao" (Remove Biplab, Save BJP) rang out in a saffron party rally in the state of Tripura, its Chief Minister, Biplab Kumar Deb, has been in an "emotional" state, reports said. Yesterday, Biplab said that he is ready to step down from his post if that is the people's mandate.

Two days after the chants rang out, a "saddened" Biplab Kumar Deb said that he is ready to step down if that is indeed the will of the people. Deb said that he would meet the people of the state (and his critics) at an open-to-the-public event on Sunday, where he would ask them if they wanted him to continue.

"Whether I go or continue is up to you... deliver your mandate. I will be at Stable Ground (Vivekananda maidan) on Sunday at 2 PM and your word will be communicated to the high command," Deb said at a press conference held in Tripura capital Agartala on December 8.

"My time is capped at five years... as (head of) an elected government for five years. I am no government officer serving for thirty years," Deb added.

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Recently, BJP workers in Tripura raised slogans to remove Deb in front of Vinod Sonkar - the newly-appointed BJP observer.

According to reports, resentment has been brewing in Tripura over Biplab's handling of the BJP's alliance with the regional IPFT party.

Two-time Lok Sabha MP from UP's Kaushambi, later claimed that there are "no differences" within the party.

BJP MLA, Sudip Dev Barman, who was recently stripped of the Health portfolio by the Government, has been trying to orchestrate Deb's downfall, reports said.

Barman, delivered seven ex-Trinamool MLAs to the BJP in June 2017 and was also considered instrumental in inking the alliance with IPFT. According to reports, Burman and a few MLAs flew to Guwahati in Assam last week to meet the party's go-to man in the northeast, minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

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