Agartala:
In a major blow to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura, two senior leaders – Sudip Roy Barman and Asish Kumar Saha – tendered their resignation as MLAs, on February 7.
Barman and Saha, who submitted their resignation before Assembly Speaker Ratan Chakraborty, also resigned from the primary membership of the party.
“We have heaved a sigh of relief that we have resigned because this government has failed miserably. No legislatures or ministers can exercise their authority or power in this party. One and only one man’s voice is being heard,” he said, hinting at differences with the party’s leadership vis-a-vis chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, as the reason behind the move.
Stating that a reign of terror has been inflicted across the state and democracy has been throttled, Barman said, “The voices of the media have been gagged. Now, it’s our duty to revived democracy in our state and ensure that all the democratic institutions run in accordance with the constitution,” Barman said.
Once considered to be a strong man in the BJP, Barman, lately was having differences with the party leadership and finally stepped down from the party on Monday. Son of former Tripura Chief Minister Samir Ranjan Barman, the veteran served in various crucial positions in Congress and later, in the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). He joined the BJP prior to the 2017 assembly elections along with some other MLAs with the common cause to end the 25-years long left rule.
When asked about his next course of action, Barman said, “Let’s see. We are leaving for Delhi and we shall explore all possible options”, he said.
Tripura Assembly Speaker Ratan Chakraborty said, “I have received their letters. They did not raise any allegations in the letter but only expressed their inability to continue as a member of the house. Under section 364 of the Business Conduct, I have instructed my secretary to examine the matter”.
Sources close to Barman hinted that he is likely to join the Congress at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi and are likely to return to Tripura on February 12 and make a formal announcement.